Troubles are mounting for T-Mobile, with some issues of their own making and others stemming from their quest for more spectrum. The latest to speak out against T-Mobile’s overwhelming dominance is EchoStar, the company that acquired DISH Network earlier this year.

In response to the Federal Communications Commission’s inquiry about the state of competition in the communications market, EchoStar has shared its perspective. Here are some key points from their input:

– EchoStar believes that the current market is controlled by three major players: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, which is not ideal for customers.
– They pointed out that T-Mobile recently raised prices for legacy plan holders, coinciding with reports of strong business performance.
– Despite being the first to build a standalone 5G Open RAN cloud-based network covering 73 percent of the US population, EchoStar struggles to compete with more established players due to spectrum limitations.

EchoStar also expressed concerns about T-Mobile’s spectrum acquisitions and market strategies:

– They accused T-Mobile of targeting valuable low-band spectrum through acquisitions like Mint and Ultra Mobile.
– T-Mobile’s pursuit of U.S. Cellular and other transactions in the 600 MHz band raised red flags for EchoStar.
– EchoStar fears that T-Mobile’s motive behind these acquisitions is to limit competitors’ access to essential spectrum bands.

Additionally, EchoStar highlighted potential anti-competitive behaviors by T-Mobile:

– They warned that T-Mobile’s purchases may lead to discrimination against other MVNOs and harm the wireless market.
– To address these concerns, EchoStar proposed updating the FCC’s spectrum screen with a 25 percent national spectrum cap and a 25 percent screen for low-band spectrum.

By implementing these measures, EchoStar believes that the industry can move closer to achieving its goal of having at least four nationwide carriers. As the debate over spectrum allocation continues, it remains crucial for regulators to ensure a fair playing field for all telecommunications companies.