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Related Party Transactions | 12.Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions with EchoStar, our Parent, and its subsidiaries. On January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed the distribution of its technology and set-top box business and certain infrastructure assets (the “Spin-off”) into a separate publicly-traded company, EchoStar. Following the Spin-off, DISH Network and EchoStar operated as separate publicly-traded companies until December 31, 2023, when EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network. The following is a summary of the terms of our principal agreements with EchoStar, our parent, and its subsidiaries, that may have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Sale and Transfer of Assets Recent Transactions Wireless Spectrum License Exchange. On March 21, 2025, we exchanged interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries which hold certain 3.45-3.55 GHz Licenses with our parent, EchoStar, for interests in their wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold the 700 MHz, LMDS, C-Band – Cheyenne (3.7-3.98 GHz), 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz Licenses. 2024 Transactions Sale of Assets to EchoStar. On January 10, 2024, we sold certain assets and equity interests to EchoStar, which included the sale of a financial asset (the “Sale of Assets to EchoStar”). Asset Transfer to EchoStar. On January 10, 2024, we transferred our wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold certain assets, including the EchoStar XXV satellite currently under construction, and our wireless spectrum licenses, including AWS-4, H-Block, CBRS (3550-3650 MHz), C-Band – Cheyenne (3.7-3.98 GHz), 12GHz (MVDDS), LMDS, 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz to EchoStar Wireless Holding L.L.C., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar (together with the “DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche” as defined in Note 8, the “Asset Transfer to EchoStar”). 700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar. On March 12, 2024, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary which holds the 700 MHz spectrum to a wholly-owned subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar (the “700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar”). The Sale of Assets to EchoStar, Asset Transfer to EchoStar and 700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar together are referred to as (the “Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar”). Orbital II Transfer from EchoStar. On May 2, 2024, EchoStar transferred certain assets to us, including the EchoStar XXV satellite currently under construction. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. “Trade accounts payable” As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, trade accounts payable to EchoStar was $8 million and $53 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in “Trade accounts payable” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. “Service revenue” During the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we received $1 million and $1 million, respectively, for services provided to EchoStar. During the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we received $3 million and $2 million, respectively, for services provided to EchoStar. These amounts are recorded in “Service revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The primary agreements pertaining to these revenues are discussed below. TT&C Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. In September 2019, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to EchoStar for an initial term that ended in September 2021, (the “MTA TT&C Agreement”). In September 2021, we amended the MTA TT&C Agreement to extend the term until September 2022 and added the option for EchoStar to renew for three one-year renewal terms ending in September 2025. Either party is able to terminate the MTA TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 12 months’ notice. “Equipment sales and other revenue” During each of the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we received $1 million for services provided to EchoStar. During the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we received $2 million and $1 million, respectively, for services provided to EchoStar. These amounts are recorded in “Equipment sales and other revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The primary agreements pertaining to these revenues are discussed below. Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate to EchoStar. The term of each lease is set forth below:
Whidbey Island 5G Network Test Bed Subcontract. Effective June 2022, we entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we provide EchoStar access and use of a lab, technical support and integration, and testing support for the 5G network test bed. In addition, EchoStar leases certain wireless spectrum and receives construction and related services. EchoStar may terminate this agreement at any time by providing written notice to us. Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements. We entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we provide certain collocation and antenna space to EchoStar. EchoStar may terminate certain of these agreements with 180 days’ prior written notice to us and for certain other agreements with prior written notice no more than 120 days but no less than 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term. The term of each agreement is set forth below:
“Cost of services” During each of the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred $1 million of costs for services provided to us by EchoStar. During each of the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred $2 million of costs for services provided to us by EchoStar. These amounts are recorded in “Cost of services” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The primary agreements pertaining to these expenses are discussed below. Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement. Effective January 10, 2024, we and EchoStar, on behalf of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into the Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement pursuant to which we have the right to lease the wireless spectrum licenses AWS-4, H-Block, CBRS (3550-3650 MHz), C-Band– Cheyenne (3.7-3.98 GHz), 12GHz (MVDDS), LMDS, 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz, and 700 MHz for a nominal fee. As a result of the Wireless Spectrum License Exchange (as defined in Note 9), effective March 21, 2025, we amended the Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement pursuant to which we currently have the right to lease wireless spectrum licenses AWS-4, H-Block, 12GHz (MVDDS), CBRS (3550-3650 MHz) and 3.45-3.55 GHz for a nominal fee. Under the applicable accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), these wireless spectrum licenses are intangible assets, and therefore excluded from the scope of ASC 842 and are not reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. We have the right to use the wireless spectrum licenses for as long as EchoStar holds the licenses, subject to certain termination provisions. Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. Effective October 2012, we and EchoStar entered into a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which we have the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the EchoStar satellite Internet service (the “Service”) and to purchase certain broadband equipment from EchoStar to support the sale of the Service for an extended initial term that ended March 1, 2024. Thereafter, the Distribution Agreement automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party gives written notice of its intent not to renew to the other party at least 180 days before the expiration of the then-current term. Upon expiration or termination of the Distribution Agreement, the parties will continue to provide the Service pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement. Hughes Equipment and Services Agreement. In February 2019, we and EchoStar entered into an agreement pursuant to which EchoStar will provide us with satellite Internet service and equipment for the transmission of certain data related to our 5G Network. This agreement had an initial term that ended February 2024 with automatic renewal for successive one-year terms unless terminated by us with at least 180 days’ written notice to EchoStar or by EchoStar with at least 365 days’ written notice to us. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” During the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred $11 million and $6 million, respectively, for selling, general and administrative expenses for services provided to us by EchoStar. During the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred $16 million and $11 million, respectively, for selling, general and administrative expenses for services provided to us by EchoStar. These amounts are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The primary agreements pertaining to these expenses are discussed below. Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate from EchoStar. The term of each lease is set forth below:
Professional Services Agreement. Effective January 2010, we and EchoStar entered into the Professional Services Agreement, pursuant to which EchoStar has the right, but not the obligation, to receive the following services from us, among others: information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services. Additionally, we and EchoStar agreed that we shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage EchoStar to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for us and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from EchoStar and other support services. In February 2017 and in September 2019, we and EchoStar amended the Professional Services Agreement to, among other things, provide certain transition services to each other. The Professional Services Agreement renews automatically for successive one-year periods, unless terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days’ notice. However, either party may terminate the Professional Services Agreement in part with respect to any particular service it receives for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice. Revenue for services provided by us to EchoStar under the Professional Services Agreement is recorded in “Service revenue” and “Equipment sales and other revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Other Agreements – EchoStar Tax Sharing Agreement. We entered into a tax sharing agreement (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”) with EchoStar which governs our respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off. Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including any taxes that are incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by us, and we will indemnify EchoStar for such taxes. However, we are not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of EchoStar’s stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, EchoStar is solely liable for, and will indemnify us for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses. The Tax Sharing Agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed. In light of the Tax Sharing Agreement, among other things, and in connection with our consolidated federal income tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, during 2013, we and EchoStar agreed upon a supplemental allocation of the tax benefits arising from certain tax items resolved in the course of the IRS’ examination of these consolidated tax returns. As a result, we agreed to pay EchoStar $82 million of the tax benefit we received or will receive. Any payment to EchoStar, including accrued interest, will be made at such time as EchoStar would have otherwise been able to realize such tax benefit. As of June 30, 2025, we have paid $13 million of the tax benefit received, leaving $69 million remaining to be paid. During the third quarter of 2018, we and EchoStar amended the Tax Sharing Agreement and the 2013 agreements (the “Amendment”). Under the Amendment, among other things, we are entitled to apply the benefit of EchoStar’s 2009 net operating losses to our federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2008, in exchange for paying EchoStar over time the value of the net annual federal income taxes paid by EchoStar that would have been otherwise offset by their 2009 net operating loss. Patent Cross-License Agreements. In December 2011, we and EchoStar entered into separate patent cross-license agreements with the same third-party whereby: (i) EchoStar and such third-party licensed their respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions; and (ii) we and such third-party licensed our respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions (each, a “Cross-License Agreement”). Each Cross License Agreement covers patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2017 and aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements total less than $10 million. In December 2016, we and EchoStar independently exercised our respective options to extend each Cross-License Agreement to include patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2022. Rovi License Agreement. On August 19, 2016, we entered into a ten-year patent license agreement (the “Rovi License Agreement”) with Rovi Corporation (“Rovi”) and, for certain limited purposes, EchoStar. EchoStar is a party to the Rovi License Agreement solely with respect to certain provisions relating to the prior patent license agreement between EchoStar and Rovi. There are no payments between us and EchoStar under the Rovi License Agreement. Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement. In March 2017, we and EchoStar entered into the Master Services Agreement (“MSA”) pursuant to which we, among other things: (i) have the right, but not the obligation, to market, promote and solicit orders for the EchoStar satellite Internet service and related equipment; and (ii) install service equipment with respect to activations we generate. Payments from EchoStar for services provided are recorded in “Service revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, these payments were $1 million and less than $1 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, these payments were $2 million and $1 million, respectively. The MSA had an initial term that ended March 2022 with automatic renewal for successive one-year terms. Either party has the ability to terminate the MSA, in whole or in part, for any reason upon at least 90 days’ notice to the other party. Upon expiration or termination of the MSA, EchoStar will continue to provide the satellite Internet service to subscribers and make certain payments to us pursuant to the terms and conditions of the MSA. For each of the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we purchased zero broadband equipment from EchoStar under the MSA. Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement – Share Exchange. Effective March 1, 2017, we and EchoStar entered into an Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement (“IPTLA”), pursuant to which we and EchoStar license to each other certain intellectual property and technology. The IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant to the IPTLA, EchoStar granted to us a license to its intellectual property and technology for use by us, among other things, in connection with our continued operation of the Transferred Businesses acquired pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, including a limited license to use the “ECHOSTAR” trademark during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ECHOSTAR” trademark. In addition, we granted a license back to EchoStar, among other things, for the continued use of all intellectual property and technology transferred to us pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement that is used in EchoStar’s retained businesses. Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. Effective September 10, 2019, we and EchoStar entered into an IPTLA (the “MTA IPTLA”), pursuant to which we and EchoStar license to each other certain intellectual property and technology. The MTA IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant to the MTA IPTLA, EchoStar granted to us a license to its intellectual property and technology for use by us, among other things, in connection with our continued operation of the BSS Business acquired pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, including a limited license to use the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks. In addition, we granted a license back to EchoStar, among other things, for the continued use of all intellectual property and technology transferred to us pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement that is used in EchoStar’s retained businesses. Related Party Transactions with CONX Corp. CONX Corp. (“CONX”) is an entity partially owned by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman. On May 1, 2024, we entered into an agreement to lease a commercial real estate property in Littleton, Colorado, comprising the corporate headquarters of DISH Wireless, from CONX for an initial 10 year term. During the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we recorded $1 million and $1 million, respectively, for this lease in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). During the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we recorded $2 million and $1 million, respectively, for this lease in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Related Party Transactions with NagraStar L.L.C. We own a 50% interest in NagraStar, a joint venture that is our primary provider of encryption and related security systems intended to assure that only authorized customers have access to our programming. Certain payments related to NagraStar are recorded in “Cost of services” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). In addition, certain other payments are initially included in “Inventory” and are subsequently capitalized as “Property and equipment, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets or expensed as “Selling, general and administrative expenses” or “Cost of services” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) when the equipment is deployed. We record all payables in “Trade accounts payable” or “Other accrued expenses and liabilities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our investment in NagraStar is accounted for using the equity method. The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar:
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