Wireless EchoStar gets more time to meet 5G buildout requirements

And just like that, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Dish parent company EchoStar’s request for more time to meet 5G buildout requirements in exchange for accelerated deployments in certain markets and other commitments. The approval appears to have come in near record time as the FCC typically isn’t known for quick decision-making, to put it mildly. EchoStar submitted its request to the FCC on September 17 and the application was granted by September 20. The approval basically means EchoStar’s construction milestones for four spectrum blocks (AWS-4, lower 700 MHz E, 600 MHz and AWS H) will extend to December 14, 2026, instead of the previous deadline of June 14, 2025.