EchoStar Vows to Fight License Cancellation

EchoStar Communications Corp. said it would fight U.S. regulators’ cancellation of its license to sell Internet access, data and telephone service using new frequencies.

The Federal Communications Commission revoked EchoStar’s right to sell service in the Ka band, a high-frequency range not yet used commercially. EchoStar failed to ensure a satellite it’s building will work in the Ka band, the FCC said.

EchoStar said it already has spent $75 million on the satellite, planned for launch this year. The FCC decision was based on the misunderstanding that construction hadn’t begun, the company said.

EchoStar shares fell 3 cents to $16.51 on Nasdaq.