EchoStar Corporation has chosen MDA Space Ltd. as the prime contractor for its new non-terrestrial network (NTN) low Earth orbit (LEO) direct-to-device (D2D) satellite constellation. The initial contract is valued at about $1.3 billion and covers the design, manufacturing, and testing of more than 100 software-defined MDA AURORA D2D satellites. The system’s first phase will include 200 satellites, with plans to expand further as demand grows.
The planned LEO constellation aims to provide talk, text, and broadband services directly to standard 5G NTN handheld devices worldwide. Coverage will extend to all Americans, including those in Alaska and Hawaii, as well as billions of people globally.
Hamid Akhavan, president & CEO of EchoStar, said: “EchoStar’s Hughes communications division has over 60 years of leadership in the satellite and space technology business. Our satellite expertise combined with our U.S.-based terrestrial 5G Open RAN network uniquely positions EchoStar to execute on this new large-scale wideband LEO constellation. The market-leading technical innovation provided by MDA Space along with our global S-band/2GHz spectrum rights with the highest ITU priority, and our strong service delivery capabilities will enable us to serve the consumer, enterprise, public safety and government sectors in the U.S., Europe and beyond. Critically, this will foster U.S. leadership in the growing space economy.”
Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, added: “EchoStar’s selection of our new MDA AURORA D2D software-defined satellites to meet its demanding technical and business requirements is a testament to the confidence satellite operators have in our deep expertise and products, our differentiated MDA AURORA product, and our expanding production capacity. This contract also demonstrates our continued market momentum as we strategically position MDA Space to be the prime contractor of choice for satellite operators in the direct-to-device and broadband connectivity.”
Since 2012, EchoStar has invested more than $13 billion in acquiring assets related to the 2GHz band—including DBSD and TerreStar—and developing standards for NTN 3GPP technologies. These investments support EchoStar’s goal of providing global D2D service integrated with terrestrial networks.
EchoStar holds exclusive licenses for the 2GHz band in several regions: AWS-4 in the United States; additional licenses in Europe (30 MHz), Canada (40 MHz through partnership), Mexico (20 MHz), and Brazil (30 MHz). The company has already started delivering texting services using this spectrum in Europe and plans a similar rollout in North America by mid-2026.
The new LEO satellites will use up to 25×20 MHz of AWS-4/S-band frequencies and comply with NTN and 3GPP standards so that messaging, voice, broadband data, and video can be delivered on current devices without modification. The constellation will also connect sensors and mobile vehicles.
Satellite delivery is scheduled for 2028 with commercial service expected by 2029. The total estimated cost for this project is $5 billion.
EchoStar operates globally under several brands including Boost Mobile, Sling TV, DISH TV, HughesNet, HughesON, JUPITER brands as well as regional subsidiaries such as EchoStar Mobile Limited in Europe.
For more information about EchoStar Corporation visit www.echostar.com.
