In a landmark transaction that reshapes the landscape of global communications, White & Case LLP has expertly guided EchoStar Corporation in its massive $17 billion spectrum sale to SpaceX. The deal, a mix of $8.5 billion in cash and an equivalent in stock, also includes SpaceX assuming $2 billion of EchoStar’s interest payments through 2027. This strategic move not only underscores EchoStar's pivotal role in the communications sector but also enhances SpaceX’s capabilities in direct satellite communication services.

As part of this deal, a long-term partnership has been established, granting Boost Mobile users unprecedented access to Starlink’s innovative Direct to Cell service. This collaboration is set to dramatically extend mobile connectivity, reducing so-called "dead zones" across the globe, thus reinforcing SpaceX's commitment to universal communication access.

EchoStar’s CEO, Hamid Akhavan, views this transaction as a culmination of a decade-long vision aimed at transforming global communications through satellite direct-to-cell technology. "This transaction with SpaceX continues our legacy of prioritizing our customers by merging our AWS-4 and H-block spectrum with SpaceX’s advanced satellite capabilities, to revolutionize connectivity in an economical and expedient manner worldwide," Akhavan stated.

Echoing this sentiment, SpaceX’s President and COO, Gwynne Shotwell, expressed her enthusiasm about the deal, emphasizing its potential to eradicate global mobile communication barriers and enhance user connectivity.

The transaction was supported by a legal team from White & Case, led by partners Michael Deyong, Jonathan Michels, Keith Hallam, and Daniel Dufner in New York, with comprehensive support spanning capital markets, finance, restructuring, tax, and M&A from both U.S. and London offices. Meanwhile, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and HWG LLP represented SpaceX, ensuring a smooth and effective negotiation process.

White & Case has a longstanding relationship with EchoStar, having advised on several significant transactions, including the $23 billion spectrum sale to AT&T in 2025 and the DISH Network merger in 2023. This consistent advisory role underscores White & Case's deep expertise and trusted partnership in handling high-stakes communications sector deals.

EchoStar Corporation, a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions, and White & Case, a leading international law firm with a rich history of legal excellence, continue to set the standard for transformative transactions in the tech and legal industries. This deal not only advances technological integration but also sets a new benchmark in the strategic utilization of legal expertise to facilitate industry-defining mergers and acquisitions.