We hosted a call on Monday that covered our analysis of the impact of the FCC inquiries on spectrum values, and how this could change if the Company files for Chapter 11 protection. We hosted the call with Jeff Carlisle who is perhaps the leading expert on matters that sit at the intersection of telecom policy and bankruptcy. We got more questions than we could answer in the time we had, and so we covered the questions we didn’t get to in this note.
Today EchoStar filed an 8-K announcing that they would not make a scheduled interest payment on DBS secured and unsecured bonds. As with the skipped interest payment at EchoStar, this triggers a 30-day grace period after which DBS will be in default. A default at DBS would also trigger a default at Dish Network Corp., based on cross-default protections in Dish Network Corp. bonds. Our quick thoughts in this (very) brief note.
Since Friday’s announcement that SATS is not making an interest payment, triggering a 30-day period that could lead to a SATS voluntary Chapter 11 proceeding, we have been in numerous talks with investors about the most notorious bankruptcy case involving the FCC and a telecom company, NextWave. In this note we quickly summarize the key lessons of that case for investors analyzing the potential implications of a SATS bankruptcy proceeding.
As previously discussed, earlier this month, the FCC opened two proceedings that could adversely affect SATS. The opening round of filings in those proceedings ended earlier this week. In this note we review the filings to update our analysis of the likely outcome.
There are two inquiries underway: one on the validity of the buildout extension; one exploring potential sharing in the MSS spectrum. In the first inquiry, only three parties filed in opposition – VTel, SpaceX, and SFP. The SFP filing alleges that EchoStar used “slight-of-hand” to meet buildout commitments. In the second inquiry, there were several filings from satellite companies that would like access to the spectrum (as one might expect). Our quick reaction in this brief note.
EchoStar filed an 8-K this morning claiming that the recent FCC public notices concerning its licenses have created uncertainty, limiting its ability to continue the buildout. In addition, they disclosed strong adds in April, which is consistent with comments made by Verizon today and others at recent events. Our quick thoughts in this (very) brief note.
Earlier in the week we outlined the paths that the FCC is likely to take regarding SATS spectrum and how it could impact the monetization of those assets. Our analysis did not, however, discuss how the FCC Wireless Bureau public notice could affect the spectrum assets for which SATS has certified that it has met the FCC obligations but for which the FCC has not yet confirmed the certification. In this quick update, we address how the FCC process might affect SATS’ rights regarding that spectru...
A director at T-Mobile US Inc sold 45,000 shares at 242.695USD and the significance rating of the trade was 70/100. Is that information sufficient for you to make an investment decision? This report gives details of those trades and adds context and analysis to them such that you can judge whether these trading decisions are ones worth following. Included in the report is a detailed share price chart which plots discretionary trades by all the company's directors over the last two years clearl...
We have rearchitected the model in light of evidence of the company no longer using DBS as a source of cash for the wireless business and given changes in how the various subsidiaries are being funded following the debt raise late last year. It appears that DBS is building up cash to pay off debt in July of next year. This may require EchoStar to raise new debt in the fourth quarter of 2026 rather than during 2027. We also cover a small but interesting collateral swap between Dish Network & Echo...
Last week, the dominant story in our space involved the escalation of the battle between SATS and SpaceX as well as the threat to the SATS’ spectrum licenses through two FCC investigations that Chairman Carr initiated. In this note we focus on the twists and turns of those investigations and update our thoughts on the core questions that will help investors understand the path(s) forward, with endgames that can affect not just SATS but others who utilize and seek new spectrum.
A few weeks ago, we analyzed the latest front in the long running battle between DISH and SpaceX. That battle has escalated, with a WSJ story describing a letter from FCC Chair Carr to DISH that appears to take SpaceX’s side and two FCC public notices that appear sympathetic to SpaceX as well. In this note, we update our analysis to reflect the letter, the public notices, and what happens going forward.
We have received a barrage of calls and emails on the risk to Dish losing licenses following an FCC letter to the company announcing plans to investigate whether the Company has met regulatory requirements. For Blair’s last note on this topic, see here. Blair will have updated thoughts out tomorrow morning. In the meantime, we provide quick answers to the two most common questions we have been getting in this note.
Paramount is entering into mediation to resolve the litigation with President Trump and remove a barrier to FCC approval of the pending acquisition by Skydance. In this note we update our thoughts on what the deal’s process tells us about pending and future deals can expect from the government approval process.
What’s new: in this note we cover the case for T-Mobile buying a cable asset and what we learned about the odds of this from the call, new insights into T-Mobile’s fiber strategy, what it means for Cable and Fiber assets, further thoughts on the slowdown in growth in the broadband market, important insights into what might be driving the strength in the mobile market, and how T-Mobile will approach tariffs. We will publish a separate comprehensive review of results and model update shortly.
What’s new: Verizon reported mid-single-digit growth in gross adds after amending their offers in mid-March and double-digit growth in gross adds after launching a three-year price guarantee in April. T-Mobile responded with new plans that include a five-year price guarantee this morning. We cover implications for the industry in this quick comment.
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) (“T-Mobile”) announced today that T-Mobile USA, Inc., its direct wholly-owned subsidiary (“T-Mobile USA” or the “Issuer”), plans to offer, subject to market and other conditions, senior notes (the “notes”) in a registered public offering. T-Mobile USA intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include among other things, share repurchases, any dividends declared by T-Mobile’s Board of Directors and refinancing of existing indebtedness on an ongoing basis. Barclays Capital Inc.,...
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today announced it has reached an agreement in principle to divest the company’s 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to purchaser , a leading private investment firm focused on digital infrastructure and solutions to the global broadband industry. In partnership with energy and infrastructure experts from , Grain is planning to market the 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to utilities, other critical infrastructure industry operators, rural and regional operators, and other enterprises, meeting crucial unfulfilled telecommunications needs. Consumers a...
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: ) looks forward to discussing first quarter 2025 financial and operational results on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The call will be accessible via dial-in with pre-registration as well as a webcast link on the Company’s Investor Relations website at . The earnings release, Investor Factbook, and other related materials will be available at approximately 4:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at . Earnings Call Information Date/Time Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. (ET) Access via Webcast The e...
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