The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ended its investigation into EchoStar's usage of its 5G and satellite spectrum assets.

In a letter to EchoStar yesterday (September 8), FCC Chair Brendan Carr confirmed the agency has concluded its investigation, which began in May and ended up in a very public spat.

The letter was sent hours after EchoStar agreed to sell its AWS-4 (Advanced Wireless Spectrum) and H-block spectrum licenses to SpaceX for $17 billion.

A couple of weeks ago, the company also agreed to sell significant wireless spectrum licenses to AT&T for $23 billion.

"I have asked FCC staff to bring the agency’s investigation to conclusion," wrote Carr in his letter.

"In particular, I have directed FCC staff to: (1) dismiss VTel’s petition for reconsideration; (2) confirm that EchoStar holds exclusive terrestrial and MSS rights over the AWS-4 spectrum to which it is currently licensed; and (3) find that relevant FCC buildout and other related obligations have been satisfied by EchoStar in view of the company’s current FCC milestones."

Carr had ordered an investigation into EchoStar after claiming that the company had failed to fulfil its 5G rollout as initially planned, while noting that EchoStar repeatedly negotiated with the previous Biden Administration to extend dates for buildout obligations.

Last year, the FCC approved an extension request to EchoStar for the rollout of its 5G network.

It led to EchoStar's chairman, Charles Ergen, hitting back at the FCC, stating that the investigation created a “dark cloud of uncertainty” over EchoStar.

President Trump reportedly met with both Carr and Ergen at the Oval Office to resolve the dispute.

However, in the end, EchoStar opted to sell certain wireless spectrum licenses to AT&T. This move, EchoStar notes, will enable the company to operate as a hybrid mobile network operator as it provides wireless services under its Boost Mobile brand.