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EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) shares exploded in premarket trading on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, surging over 58% to $47.22 after closing at $29.88 the previous day. The dramatic price movement comes on the heels of a major announcement that AT&T (NYSE: T) will acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar for approximately $23 billion in an all-cash transaction. This deal represents one of the largest spectrum acquisitions in recent telecommunications history and positions AT&T to strengthen its 5G network capabilities while providing EchoStar with significant capital and a new strategic partnership.

AT&T’s Strategic $23 Billion Spectrum Acquisition Leads to EchoStar Stock Surge

AT&T’s acquisition of EchoStar spectrum licenses includes approximately 30 MHz of nationwide 3.45 GHz mid-band spectrum and 20 MHz of nationwide 600 MHz low-band spectrum. The licenses cover virtually every market across the United States, spanning over 400 markets total, significantly strengthening AT&T’s spectrum holdings for its 5G network deployment. AT&T CEO John Stankey emphasized that the acquisition “bolsters and expands our spectrum portfolio while enhancing customers’ 5G wireless and home internet experience in even more markets.”

The transaction extends beyond a simple spectrum purchase, as AT&T and EchoStar have agreed to enhance their long-term wholesale network services agreement. This partnership enables EchoStar to operate as a hybrid mobile network operator (MNO) providing wireless service under the Boost Mobile brand, with AT&T serving as the primary network services partner. The deal is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

AT&T plans to finance the acquisition through cash on hand and incremental borrowings, expecting its net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio to increase to the 3x range before returning to its target 2.5x range within approximately three years. The company maintains its full-year 2025 financial guidance and capital return plans, including $20 billion of share repurchase capacity during 2025-2027.

EchoStar Shares Gain Over 58% in Premarket Trading

EchoStar’s stock performance reflects the market’s positive reception of the deal, with shares trading at $47.22 in premarket as of 7:24 AM EDT, representing a massive 58.03% gain from the previous close of $29.88. The company, which has a market capitalization of $8.597 billion, has shown strong year-to-date performance with a 30.48% return compared to the S&P 500’s 9.48% gain. EchoStar’s 52-week range spans from $14.90 to $34.20, meaning the premarket price represents a new 52-week high.

The financial metrics reveal EchoStar’s current challenges and the potential impact of this deal. The company reported negative earnings per share of -$1.06 for the trailing twelve months, with revenue of $15.45 billion but a net loss of $315.38 million. The company’s high debt-to-equity ratio of 152.59% and negative free cash flow of -$840.56 million highlight the financial pressures that likely motivated this spectrum sale. The $23 billion infusion from AT&T provides substantial capital that could help address these financial challenges.

For EchoStar, this deal represents a strategic pivot that allows the company to monetize valuable spectrum assets while maintaining its presence in the wireless market through the enhanced wholesale agreement. The partnership with AT&T’s extensive network infrastructure enables EchoStar to continue serving customers under the Boost Mobile brand without the capital-intensive burden of maintaining its own nationwide network.

Analysts have set a price target range of $25.00 to $99.00 for EchoStar stock, with an average target of $39.50, suggesting the premarket surge may have already captured much of the deal’s anticipated value.

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