11/7 Joint Letter in Support of Echostar’s Opposition to the Petition for Reconsideration Regarding Extended Buildout Deadlines with Public Interest Conditions

The Open Technology Institute (OTI) at New America and Public Knowledge (PK) support EchoStar’s Opposition to the Petition for Reconsideration filed by VTel Wireless, Inc. in the matter of Echostar’s construction extension request. OTI and PK argued that it was appropriate for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (“WTB”) to grant EchoStar’s construction extension requests since it is clearly justified and EchoStar’s additional commitments advance important public interest goals with respect to mobile market competition and digital equity. We believe EchoStar made a compelling case for its extension request and the Bureau had ample authority to grant it based on its extensive and detailed filing that meets the extension requirements.

Building a nationwide mobile network from scratch is a high hill to climb, and EchoStar deserves every benefit of the doubt as it tries to overcome numerous obstacles, some of them unanticipated years ago (e.g., pandemic-induced supply chain shortages and delays). As consumer advocates, we agree the Commission should give EchoStar every opportunity to deploy and become a meaningful mobile market competitor. Promoting and enabling a fourth nationwide provider is critical to enhancing competition in a concentrated mobile market.