Separately, a group representing rural mobile carriers criticized the approval, saying the FCC ignored competition concerns raised by smaller wireless operators. The Rural Wireless Association said the spectrum sales “continue a troubling pattern of spectrum aggregation that harms rural wireless providers, stifles competition in the wireless market, and hinders the deployment of wireless services – particularly in the hardest-to-serve rural areas.”
While Starlink is not a wireless carrier, it is trying to dominate the emerging market of direct-to-device (D2D) systems that use low Earth orbit satellites to provide service to standard mobile phones. Meanwhile, AT&T’s purchase of the EchoStar licenses continues the consolidation of spectrum with the three major carriers—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
“When approving the EchoStar/AT&T deal, the FCC’s Bureau of Wireless Telecommunications erroneously claimed that the potential for competitive harm was low, dismissing the concrete harms identified by rural wireless carriers, including reduced access to the spectrum needed to expand service into rural markets and reduced competitive opportunities for rural and regional wireless providers,” the Rural Wireless Association said.
However, the Rural Wireless Association objected to the approval, but said there was still a chance for smaller carriers to obtain some spectrum licenses from EchoStar in future deals.
FCC Chairman Says It’s All “Thanks to President Trump”
While approval came from FCC staff, Carr announced the decisions in a press release. He also gave credit for this to his boss in the White House.
“Thanks to President Trump, America is again leading the world in next-generation technology,” Carr said in his official statement on the approval. “As a result of President Trump’s work, Americans will now see faster Internet speeds, stronger competition, and innovative new offerings, including high-speed connections direct from space to your smartphone – providing ubiquitous connectivity when these new systems are completed.”
AT&T previously received exclusive rights to deploy EchoStar’s 3.45 GHz spectrum pending the sale. AT&T said yesterday that it has deployed mid-band spectrum to boost network capacity, and will deploy low-band frequencies after closing the purchase. AT&T has said it expects to close the deal in mid-2026.
<a href