Lawmakers voice concerns about Echostar’s $40B spectrum deals with AT&T, SpaceX

Democratic lawmakers Elizabeth Warren and Greg Casar on Thursday expressed their concerns about EchoStar’s (SATS) deals with AT&T (T) and SpaceX (SPACE) to sell key spectrum for $40B cumulatively, saying the move could be anticompetitive in wireless and satellite markets, according to a report by Reuters.

The report said the lawmakers urged the Federal Communications Commission and Justice Department to closely scrutinize the $23B AT&T deal and $17B SpaceX deal.

“AT&T’s proposed acquisition of spectrum from EchoStar threatens to further consolidate the wireless industry and exacerbate harms to consumers,” the lawmakers reportedly said. “SpaceX’s proposed acquisition of spectrum from EchoStar may entrench SpaceX’s already dominant position in the satellite market.”