EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1533758
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1533758_10-K_2025_0001558370-25-002821.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (which, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “HSSC,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) is a holding company and a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar” and “parent”). We were formed as a Colorado corporation in March 2011 to facilitate the acquisition by EchoStar (the “Hughes Acquisition”) of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries and related financing transactions. In connection with our formation, EchoStar contributed the assets and liabilities of its satellite services business to us, including the principal operating subsidiary of its satellite services business, EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. Substantially all of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain entities established for the benefit of his family.
Merger with DISH Network
On December 31, 2023, EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 2, 2023 (the “Amended Merger Agreement”), by and among EchoStar, EAV Corp., a Nevada corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and DISH Network, pursuant to which EchoStar acquired DISH Network by means of the merger of Merger Sub with and into DISH Network (the “Merger”), with DISH Network surviving the Merger as EchoStar’s wholly owned subsidiary. 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, 2023.
SEGMENTS
We manage our business activities on a consolidated basis and operate as a single operating segment: Hughes. Historically, we reported two primary business segments: (1) Hughes; and (2) EchoStar Satellite Services. See Note 13 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our segment reporting.
Hughes
We are an industry leader in both networking technologies and services, innovating to deliver the global solutions that power a connected future for people, enterprises and things everywhere. We provide broadband services to consumer customers, which include home and small to medium-sized businesses, and satellite multi-transport technologies and managed network services to enterprise customers, telecommunications providers, airlines and government entities, including civilian and defense.
The EchoStar XXIV satellite began service in December 2023, bringing additional broadband capacity across North and South America and is an integral part of our satellite services business. We have leveraged the EchoStar XXIV to deliver satellite services to unserved and underserved consumer markets in the Americas as well as enterprise, aeronautical and government markets.
We also design, provide and install gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, we design, develop, construct and provide telecommunication networks comprising satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators and our enterprise customers. We offer a robust suite of integrated, multi-transport solutions to enable airline and airline service providers to deliver reliable in-flight network connectivity serving both commercial and business aviation.
Business Strategy
Our strategy is to maintain and improve our leadership position and competitive advantage through development of leading-edge technologies and services marketed to selected sectors within the consumer, enterprise and government markets globally.
We expect demand for broadband internet access, connectivity, networking and related value-added services will continue to operate across all major end-user markets - consumer, business, enterprise, aeronautical and government. Our strategic objective is to maintain our leadership position and grow our competitive advantage by using our satellite assets, expertise, technologies, capital, investments, global presence, relationships, spectrum assets, and other capabilities for development of leading-edge technologies and services marketed to targeted sectors within these markets globally.
Products and Services
We provide broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet products and services to consumer customers. We provide broadband network technologies, managed services, equipment, hardware, satellite services and communications solutions to government and enterprise customers. We also design, provide and install gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, we design, develop, construct and provide telecommunication networks comprising satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators and our enterprise customers.
Customers
Our enterprise customers include, but are not limited to, retailers, financial institutions, aircraft connectivity providers, lottery agencies, and companies with multi-branch networks that rely on satellite or terrestrial networks for critical communication across wide geographies, as well as the U.S government. Most of our enterprise customers have long-term contracts with us for the services they purchase. We also design, provide and install gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems and provides satellite ground segment systems and terminals for other satellite systems, including, but not limited to, mobile system operators. Developments toward the launch of next-generation satellite systems, including LEO, MEO and geostationary systems, as well as other multi-transport technologies, could provide additional opportunities to increase demand for our equipment, hardware, technology and services.
Our consumer customers consist of home and small to medium-sized business in the Americas. We provide broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet products and services to these customers.
Competition
Our industry is highly competitive. As a global provider of network technologies, products and services, we compete with a large number of telecommunications and satellite internet service providers.
In our enterprise markets, we compete against multiple categories of providers. In the managed services area, we compete against providers of satellite-based and terrestrial-based networks, including fiber optic, cable, wireless internet service and internet protocol-based virtual private networks (VPN), which vary by region. In the in-flight connectivity market, we compete against direct and indirect providers of in-flight WiFi services, such as ViaSat and SpaceX.
In our consumer broadband satellite technologies and internet services markets, we compete against traditional telecommunications and wireless carriers, other satellite internet providers, as well as fiber optic, cable, and wireless internet service providers. Our primary satellite competitors in the North American consumer market are ViaSat Communications, Inc., which is owned by ViaSat, Inc. (“ViaSat”), and Starlink Services LLC, which is owned by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”). Both ViaSat and SpaceX have also entered the South and Central American consumer markets.
Our principal competitors for the supply of satellite technology platforms are Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd, ViaSat, and ST Engineering iDirect, Inc.
Manufacturing
Certain products are assembled at our facilities, and we outsource a portion of the manufacturing of other products to third parties. We believe that our manufacturing facilities have sufficient capacity to handle current and future demand. We also contract with certain third-party vendors for the development and manufacture of components that are integrated into our products.
NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Our industry continues to evolve with the increasing worldwide demand for broadband internet access for information, entertainment and commerce. In addition to fiber and wireless systems, technologies such as geostationary high throughput satellites, low-earth orbit (“LEO”) networks, medium-earth orbit (“MEO”) systems and multi-transport networks using combinations of technologies are expected to continue to play significant roles in enabling global connectivity, networks and services. We expect demand for broadband internet access, connectivity, networking and related value-added services will continue to grow across all major end-user sectors - consumer, businesses, enterprises and government. We intend to use our expertise, technologies, capital, investments, global presence, relationships and other capabilities to continue to provide broadband internet systems, equipment, networks and managed services for information, the internet-of-things, entertainment, education, remote-connectivity and commerce across industries and communities globally for consumer and enterprise customers. We are closely tracking the developments in next-generation satellite businesses, and we are seeking to utilize our services, technologies, licenses and expertise to find new commercial opportunities for our business.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly file our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. As an electronic filer, our public filings are also maintained on the SEC’s Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.
WEBSITE ACCESS
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act also may be accessed free of charge through the website of our parent company, EchoStar, as soon as reasonably practicable after we have electronically filed such material with, or furnished it to, the SEC. The address of that website is https://ir.echostar.com/.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. If any of the following events occur or evolve in a way different than expected, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Competition and Economic Risks
We are facing increasing competition which could impact demand for, and result in increasing pricing pressures with respect to, our products and services.
Our business operates in an intensely competitive, consumer and enterprise-driven and rapidly changing environment and competes with a growing number of companies that provide similar products and services to consumer and enterprise customers. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete against our competitors due to, among other factors, their significant resources and operating history. Material competitive risks to our business include, but are not limited to, the following:
● competition from new or different technology compared to our offerings;
● competition from existing or new competitors entering the same markets we serve;
● government funding for competing products and services, reducing demand for our products and services; and
● competitive pressures to provide enhanced functionality for the same or lower price with each new generation of technology.
Economic weakness and uncertainty may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.
Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by economic weakness and uncertainty, which could result in the following:
● Fewer subscriber activations and increased subscriber churn rate. We could face fewer subscriber activations and increased subscriber churn rate due to, among other things: (i) certain economic factors that impact consumers, including, among others, inflation, rising interest rates, a potential downturn in the housing market in the United States (including a decline in housing starts) and higher unemployment, which could lead to a lack of consumer confidence and lower discretionary spending and (ii) increased price competition for our products and services.
● Higher subscriber acquisition and retention costs. Our profits may be adversely affected by increased subscriber acquisition and retention costs necessary to attract and retain high-quality subscribers during a period of economic weakness.
We are also subject to inflationary cost pressures, and if inflation continues or worsens, it could negatively impact us by increasing, among other things, our operating expenses. Inflation may lead to cost increases in multiple areas across our business, for example, rises in the prices of raw materials and manufactured goods, increased energy rates, as well as increased wage pressures and other expenses related to our labor, programming and other costs. While we attempt to increase our revenue to offset increases in costs, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so on an acceptable timeline or at all. Therefore, costs could rise faster than associated revenue, thereby resulting in a negative impact on our operating results, cash flows and liquidity.
If we are unable to take advantage of technological developments on a timely basis, or at all, we may experience a decline in demand for our services or face challenges in implementing or evolving our business strategy.
In order to grow and remain competitive, we will need to adapt to changes in available technology, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence and machine learning, enhance our existing service offerings and introduce new offerings to meet our current and potential subscribers’ changing service demands.
As a result, adopting new and sophisticated technologies may result in implementation issues, such as scheduling and supplier delays, unexpected or increased costs, technological constraints, regulatory permitting issues, actual or perceived subscriber dissatisfaction and other issues that could cause delays in launching new technological capabilities, which in turn could result in significant costs or reduce the anticipated benefits of the upgrades. If our new services fail to retain or gain acceptance in the marketplace or if costs associated with these services are higher than anticipated, this could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our business is partially dependent on enterprise revenue and any decline or reduction of that revenue could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Our enterprise business represents a significant but partial component of our overall revenue, exposing the company to risks associated with fluctuations in enterprise demand. Any downturn in enterprise spending, driven by, among other things, economic uncertainty, budget constraints or shifts to alternative connectivity solutions, could negatively impact revenue. Additionally, the enterprise market is highly competitive, with customers seeking cost-effective and flexible network solutions. If we are unable to differentiate our offerings or retain key enterprise clients, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Moreover, our partial reliance on enterprise revenue means that broader industry trends, such as increased adoption of fiber, 5G, cloud-based networking or other connectivity solutions, could shift demand away from satellite-based solutions. While the company continues to invest in next-generation satellite and hybrid connectivity technologies, there is no guarantee that these innovations will be accepted by our enterprise clients on an acceptable timeline or at all.
If enterprise revenue continues to make up a greater proportion of our overall revenue, these risks may increase or intensify and may lead to the risks listed above, among others. While we believe we will continue to be competitive in the enterprise business, there can be no assurance that we will ultimately be successful.
Operational and Service Delivery Risks
Any deterioration in our operational performance and subscriber satisfaction could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our operational performance and subscriber satisfaction were to deteriorate, we may experience a decrease in subscriber activations and an increase in our subscriber churn rate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. To improve our operational performance, we continue to make investments in staffing, training, information systems and other initiatives. These investments are intended to, among other things, help combat inefficiencies introduced by the increasing complexity of our business, improve subscriber satisfaction, reduce subscriber churn, increase productivity and allow us to scale better over the long run. We cannot, however, be certain that our spending will ultimately be successful in improving our operational performance, and if unsuccessful, we may have to incur higher costs to improve our operational performance. While we believe that such costs will be outweighed by longer-term benefits, there can be no assurance when or if we will realize these benefits at all.
Our business will be negatively impacted if we fail to adequately anticipate our satellite capacity needs or are unable to obtain satellite capacity.
We have made, or may make substantial contractual commitments to acquire satellite capacity based on our existing customer contracts and backlog. If our existing customer contracts were to be terminated prior to their respective expiration dates, we may have insufficient revenue to cover our satellite capacity costs. On the other hand, insufficient satellite capacity to meet increases in demand or inability to quickly or easily adjust our capacity to such changes in demand could materially and adversely affect our ability to provide services to customers and grow our revenue and business. Our business could be adversely affected if we are not able to renew our capacity leases at economically viable rates, or if sufficient capacity is not available to us.
We are dependent upon third-party providers for components, manufacturing, installation services and customer support services, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if any of these third-party providers fail to deliver the contracted goods or services appropriately.
Our dependence upon third-party providers causes certain risks to our business, including the following:
● Components. A limited number of suppliers manufacture, and in some cases a single supplier manufactures, some of the key components required to build our products. We do not generally maintain long-term agreements with our suppliers or subcontractors for our products. If we change or lose suppliers, we could experience a delay in manufacturing our products. In addition, if either our current suppliers or any new suppliers increase prices beyond what we currently pay, we may be unable to produce our products at competitive prices and we may be unable to satisfy demand from our customers. Similarly, if any of our products require materials or components that are subject to “conflict minerals” or other supply chain regulations, these inputs could become scarce, unavailable, or materially more expensive or difficult to acquire, which could limit our ability to build or obtain sufficient volumes of such products to satisfy customer demand or could make it difficult or impossible for us to produce such products at competitive prices.
● Commodity Price Risk. Fluctuations in pricing of raw materials can affect our product costs and we may not be able to pass on the increased costs to our customers. Additionally, we are seeing increasing inflationary price pressure and where we have fixed-price customer contracts, we may have to absorb the increased costs.
● Manufacturing. While we develop and manufacture prototypes for certain of our products, we use contract manufacturers to produce a portion of our hardware. If these contract manufacturers fail to provide products that meet our specifications in a timely manner or at all, our business could be adversely impacted.
● Installation, customer support, and other services. Some of our products and services utilize a network of third-party service providers. The costs incurred for these services may increase due to a shortage of experienced workers and higher salaries required to recruit and retain a skilled third-party workforce. A decline in levels of service or attention to the needs of our customers could adversely affect our reputation, renewal rates and ability to win and retain customers. In addition, if the agreements for the provision of these services are terminated or not renewed, we could face difficulties replacing these service providers.
We have limited satellite capacity and failures or reduced capacity could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Operation of our business requires that we have adequate satellite transmission capacity for the services we offer. While we generally have had in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient provide satellite internet coverage and some backup capacity to recover coverage, our backup capacity is limited.
Our ability to earn revenue from our business depends on, among other things, the usefulness of our owned and leased satellites, each of which has a limited useful life. A number of factors affect the useful lives of the satellites, including, among other things, the quality of their construction, the durability of their component parts, the ability to continue to maintain proper orbits and control over the satellites’ functions, the efficiency of the launch vehicles used and the remaining on-board fuel following in-orbit insertion. Generally, the minimum design life of each of our owned and leased satellites ranges from 12 to 15 years. We can provide no assurance, however, as to the actual useful lives of any of these satellites. Our operating results could be adversely affected if the useful life of any of our owned or leased satellites was significantly shorter than the minimum design life.
Our foreign operations and investments expose us to risks and restrictions not present in our domestic operations.
Our sales outside the U.S. accounted for 24.0%, 25.2% and 24.5% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect our foreign operations to represent a significant portion of our business. Our foreign operations involve varying degrees of risk and uncertainties inherent in doing business abroad. Such risks include:
● Complications in complying with restrictions on foreign ownership and investment and limitations on repatriation of earnings. We may not be permitted to be the sole owner of our operations in some countries and may have to enter into partnership or joint venture relationships. Many foreign legal regimes and/or our contractual arrangements restrict our repatriation of earnings to the U.S. from our subsidiaries and joint venture entities. Applicable law in such foreign countries may also limit our ability to distribute or access our assets or offer our products and services in certain circumstances. In such event, we will not have unrestricted access to the cash flow and assets of our subsidiaries and joint ventures.
● Regulatory restrictions. Satellite market access, landing rights and terrestrial wireless rights are dependent on the national regulations established by foreign governments and international non-governmental bodies. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the loss of the authorizations and licenses to conduct business in these countries, as well as fines, penalties, or other sanctions.
● Financial and legal constraints and obligations. Operating pursuant to foreign licenses subjects us to certain financial constraints and obligations, including, but not limited to: (a) tax liabilities that may or may not be dependent on revenue; (b) the regulatory requirements associated with maintaining such licenses, which may be subject to interpretation by foreign courts and regulatory bodies; (c) the burden of creating and maintaining additional entities, branches, facilities and/or staffing in foreign jurisdictions; and (d) regulations requiring that we make certain satellite capacity available for “free” or available at reduced rates.
● Compliance with applicable export control laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries. We must comply with all applicable export control and trade sanctions laws and regulations of the U.S. and other countries. A violation of any export or trade-related regulations could materially adversely affect our business.
● Changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, recessions and currency devaluations have affected, and may in the future affect, revenue, profits and cash earned from our international businesses.
● Regulations may favor state-owned enterprises or local service providers. Many of the countries in which we conduct business have traditionally had state-owned or state-granted monopolies on telecommunications services that favor an incumbent service provider. We face competition from these favored and entrenched companies in countries that have not liberalized.
Extreme weather may result in risk of damage to our infrastructure and therefore our ability to provide services, and may lead to changes in federal, state and foreign government regulation, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Extreme weather has the potential to directly damage our network facilities and other infrastructure and/or disrupt our ability to build and maintain portions of our network and could potentially disrupt suppliers’ ability to, among other things, provide the products and services we require to support our operations. Any such disruption could, interrupt service for our customers, increase our costs and have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition. The potential physical effects of extreme weather, such as storms, floods, fires, freezing conditions, sea-level rise and other adverse weather events could negatively affect our operations and infrastructure and, as a result, our financial results. Operational impacts resulting from extreme weather, could result in increased costs and loss of revenue. We could be required to incur significant costs to improve the resiliency of our infrastructure and otherwise prepare for, respond to and mitigate such weather events. It is impossible to accurately predict the materiality of any potential losses or costs associated with extreme weather.
Our failure to effectively invest in, introduce, and implement new competitive products and services could cause our products and services to become obsolete and could negatively impact our business.
Technology in our industry changes rapidly as new technologies are developed, which could cause our products and services to become obsolete. We and our suppliers may not be able to keep pace with technological developments. Our operating results are dependent to a significant extent upon our ability to continue to introduce new products and services, to upgrade existing products and services on a timely basis, and to reduce costs of our existing products and services. We may not be able to successfully identify new product or service opportunities or develop and market these opportunities in a timely or cost-effective manner.
The research and development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation and investment. The success of new product and service development depends on many factors, including among others, the following:
● the difficulties and delays in the development, production, timely completion, testing and marketing of products and services;
● the cost of the products and services;
● the proper identification of subscriber needs and subscriber acceptance of products and services;
● the development of, approval of and compliance with industry standards;
● the amount of resources we must devote to the development of new technologies; and
● the ability to differentiate our products and services and compete with other companies in the same markets.
If the new technologies on which we focus our research and development investments fail to achieve acceptance in the marketplace, our competitive position could be negatively impacted, causing a reduction in our revenues and earnings. For example, our competitors could use proprietary technologies that are perceived by the market as being superior. In addition, delays in the delivery of components or other unforeseen problems associated with our technology may occur that could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenue, offer new products and services and remain competitive. Furthermore, after we have incurred substantial costs, one or more of the products or services under our development, or under development by one or more of our strategic partners, could become obsolete prior to it being widely adopted.
If our products and services are not competitive or perceived as not competitive our business could suffer and our financial performance could be negatively impacted. Our products and services may also experience quality problems, including, but not limited to, outages and service slowdowns, from time to time. If the quality of our products and services does not meet our subscribers’ expectations, then our business, and ultimately our reputation, could be negatively impacted.
We rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key products or services to us, and the inability of these key vendors to meet our needs could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Historically, we have contracted with and rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key products or services to us such as information technology support, billing systems, security access devices and many components that we provide to subscribers in order to deliver services from our business. If these vendors are unable to meet our needs because, among other things, they fail to perform adequately, are no longer in business, are experiencing shortages or supply chain issues or discontinue a certain product or service we need, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We have experienced in the past and may continue to experience shortages driven by raw material availability (which may be negatively impacted by, among other things, trade protection policies such as tariffs and/or escalating trade tensions, particularly with countries in Asia), manufacturing capacity, labor shortages, industry allocations, natural disasters, logistical delays and significant changes in the financial or business conditions of its suppliers that negatively impact our operations.
While alternative sources for these products and services exist, we may not be able to develop these alternative sources quickly and cost-effectively, or at all, which could materially impair our ability to timely deliver our products to our subscribers or operate our business. Furthermore, our vendors may request changes in pricing, payment terms or other contractual obligations between the parties, which could require us to make substantial additional investments or find alternative arrangements.
Risks Related to our Human Capital
We rely on highly skilled personnel for our business, and any inability to hire and retain key personnel or to hire qualified personnel may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We believe that our future success depends to a significant extent upon the performance of Mr. Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and certain other key executives. The loss of Mr. Ergen or certain other key executives, the ability to effectively provide for the succession of our senior management, or the ability of Mr. Ergen or such other key executives to devote sufficient time and effort to our businesses could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although some of our key executives may have agreements relating to their equity compensation that limit their ability to work for or consult with competitors, we generally do not have employment agreements with them.
Our business growth and customer retention strategies rely in part on the work of technically skilled employees.
Our response to technological developments depends, to a significant degree, on the work of technically skilled employees. In addition, we have made and will continue to make significant investments in, among other things, research, development, and marketing for new products, services, satellites and related technologies, as well as entry into new business areas. Investments in new technologies, satellites and business areas are inherently dependent on these technically skilled employees as well. Competition for the services of such employees has become more intense as demand for these types of employees grows. We compete with other companies for these employees and although we strive to attract, retain, motivate and manage these employees, we may not succeed in these respects. Additionally, if we were to lose certain key technically skilled employees, the loss of knowledge and intellectual capital might have an adverse impact on our business.
The success of our business is also dependent on our ability to recruit engineers and other professionals, including those who are citizens of other countries. Immigration laws in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate are subject to legislative and regulatory changes, as well as variations in the standards of application and enforcement due to, among other things, political forces and economic conditions. It is difficult to predict
the political and economic events that could affect immigration laws, or the restrictive impact they could have on obtaining or renewing work visas for our professionals. If immigration laws are changed or if new and more restrictive government regulations are enacted or increased, our access to qualified and skilled professionals may be limited.
Risks Related to our Satellites
Our owned and leased satellites in orbit are subject to significant operational and environmental risks that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.
Satellites are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit. These risks include, but are not limited to, malfunctions, commonly referred to as anomalies, which have occurred and may occur in the future in our satellites and the satellites of other operators. Any single anomaly could materially and adversely affect our ability to utilize the satellite. Anomalies may also reduce, among other things, the expected capacity, commercial operation and/or useful life of a satellite, thereby reducing the revenue that could be generated by that satellite, or create additional expenses due to the need to provide replacement or back-up satellites or satellite capacity earlier than planned and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may not be able to prevent or mitigate the impacts of anomalies in the future.
Meteoroid events, decommissioned satellites, increased solar activity and other adverse events also pose a potential threat to all in-orbit satellites. We may be required to perform maneuvers to avoid collisions and these maneuvers may prove unsuccessful or could reduce the useful life of the satellite through the expenditure of fuel to perform these maneuvers.
Generally, the minimum design life of each of our satellites is 15 years. We can provide no assurance, however, as to the actual operational lives of our satellites, which may be shorter or longer than their design lives. Our ability to earn revenue depends on the continued operation of our satellites, each of which has a limited useful life.
We generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on our satellites or payloads because we have assessed that the cost of insurance is not economical relative to the risk of failures. If one or more of our in-orbit uninsured satellites or payloads fail, we could be required to record significant impairment charges for the satellite or payload.
Our satellites under construction, are subject to risks related to, among other things, construction, technology, regulations and launch that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites, increase costs and adversely affect our business.
Satellite construction and launch are subject to significant risks, including but not limited to, manufacturing and delivery delays, anomalies, launch failure and incorrect orbital placement. The technologies in our satellite designs are very complex and difficulties in constructing our designs could result in delays in the deployment of our satellites or increased or unanticipated costs. There can be no assurance that the technologies in our existing satellites or in new satellites that we design, acquire and build will work as we expect, will not become obsolete, that we will realize any or all of the anticipated benefits of our satellite designs or our new satellites, and/or that we will obtain all regulatory approvals required to operate our new or acquired satellites on an acceptable timeline or at all. Launch anomalies and failures can result in significant delays in the deployment of satellites because of the need both to construct replacement satellites, which can take significant amounts of time, and to obtain other launch opportunities. Such significant delays have and could in the future materially affect, among other things, our business, our ability to meet regulatory or contractual required milestones, the availability and our use of other or replacement satellite resources and our ability to provide services to customers. In addition, significant delays in a satellite program could give customers who have purchased or reserved capacity on that satellite a right to terminate their service contracts relating to the satellite. We may not be able to accommodate affected customers on other satellites until a replacement satellite is available. In addition, we generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on our satellites or payloads because we have assessed
that the cost of insurance is not economical relative to the risk of failures. If we do obtain launch or in-orbit insurance, it may not cover the full cost of constructing and launching or replacing a satellite nor fully cover our losses in the event of a launch failure or significant degradation.
Our use of certain satellites is often dependent on satellite coordination agreements, which may be difficult to obtain.
Satellite operators are required to enter into international spectrum coordination agreements with other affected satellite operators and must be approved by the relevant governments. If a required agreement cannot be negotiated, we may have to operate the applicable satellite(s) in a manner that does not cause harmful radio frequency interference with the affected satellite. If we cannot do so, we may have to cease operating such satellite(s) at the affected orbital locations.
We may face interference from other services sharing satellite spectrum.
The FCC and other national, state, local and international regulators have adopted rules or may adopt rules in the future that require us to share spectrum on a basis with other radio services. There can be no assurance that these operations would not interfere with our operations and adversely affect our business. In the event that the FCC and/or another regulator determines that our spectrum interferes with another service, we may be required to, among other things, find or develop a solution. We cannot make any assurance that we will be able to do so on an acceptable timeline or at all, or that such solution will not adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to our Products and Technology
Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others.
We rely on our patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as licenses and other agreements with our vendors and other parties, to use our technologies, conduct our operations and sell our products and services. Legal challenges to our intellectual property rights and claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties could require that we enter into royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms, incur substantial monetary liability or be enjoined preliminarily or permanently from further use of the intellectual property in question or from the continuation of our business as currently conducted, which could require us to change our business practices or limit our ability to compete effectively or could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Even if we believe any such challenges or claims are without merit, they can be time consuming and costly to defend and divert management’s attention and resources away from our business. Moreover, because of the rapid pace of technological change, we rely on technologies developed by or licensed from third parties, and if we are unable to obtain or continue to obtain licenses from these third parties on reasonable terms or at all, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, we work with certain third parties such as vendors, contractors and suppliers for the development and manufacture of components that are integrated into our products and services, and our products and services may contain technologies provided to us by these third parties or other third parties. We may have little or no ability to determine in advance whether any such technology infringes the intellectual property rights of others. Our vendors, contractors and suppliers may not be required to indemnify us if a claim of infringement is asserted against us, license the potential infringing technology from other third parties or they may be required to indemnify us only up to a maximum amount, above which we would be responsible for any further costs or damages.
Legal challenges to these intellectual property rights may impair our ability to use the products, services and technologies that we need in order to operate our business and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, our digital content offerings depend in part on effective digital rights management technology to control access to digital content. If the digital rights management technology that we use is compromised or otherwise malfunctions, content providers may be unwilling to provide access to their content. Changes in the copyright laws or how such laws may be interpreted could impact our ability to deliver content and provide certain features and functionality, particularly over the Internet.
We are, and may become, party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.
We are, and may become, subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business, including, among other things, intellectual property disputes. Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that may cover or affect products or services related to those that we offer. In general, if a court determines that one or more of our products or services infringes on intellectual property held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products or services, to obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual property at a material cost or to redesign those products or services in such a way as to avoid infringing the intellectual property. If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor, we may be unable to obtain the intellectual property at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position. We may not be aware of all intellectual property rights that our services or the products used in connection with our services may potentially infringe. In addition, patent applications in the United States are confidential until the Patent and Trademark Office either publishes the application or issues a patent (whichever arises first). Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the extent to which our services or the products used in connection with our services may infringe claims contained in pending patent applications. Furthermore, it is sometimes not possible to determine definitively whether a claim of infringement is valid.
If our products contain defects, we could be subject to significant costs to correct such defects and our product and network service contracts could be delayed or cancelled, which could adversely affect our revenue.
Our products and networks we deploy are highly complex, and some may contain defects when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released, despite testing and our quality control procedures. Defects may also occur in components and products that we purchase from third parties. In addition, many of our products and network services are designed to interface with our customers’ existing networks, each of which has different specifications and utilizes multiple protocol standards. Our products and services must interoperate with the other products and services within our customers’ networks, as well as with future products and services that might be added to these networks, to meet our customers’ requirements. There can be no assurance that we will be able to detect and fix all defects in the products and networks we sell, in a timely manner or at all. The occurrence of, and failure to remedy, any defects, errors or failures in our products or network services could materially affect our business.
Risks Related to Cybersecurity
Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure and communications systems or those of third parties that we use in our operations, including, without limitation, those caused by cyber-attacks or other malicious activities, could disrupt or harm our business.
The capacity, reliability and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure (including, but not limited to, our billing systems) and communications systems, or those of third parties that we use in our operations, are important to the operation of our business, which has in the past and would in the future suffer in the event of system failures or cyber-attacks. Likewise, our ability to expand and update our information technology infrastructure in response to, among other things, our growth and changing needs is important to the continued implementation of our new service offering initiatives. Our inability to expand or upgrade our technology infrastructure could have adverse consequences, which could include, among other things, the delayed implementation of new service offerings, service or billing interruptions, and the diversion of management and developmental resources.
We rely on certain third parties for developing key components of our information technology and communications systems and ongoing service, all of which affect our business. Some of our key systems and operations, including, but not limited to, those supplied by certain third-party providers, are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. Interruption and/or failure of any of these systems could, among other things, disrupt our operations, interrupt our services, result in significant financial expenditures and damage our reputation, thus adversely impacting our ability to provide our services, retain our current subscribers and attract new subscribers.
In addition, although we take protective measures designed to secure our information technology systems and endeavor to modify such protective measures as circumstances warrant, our information technology hardware and software infrastructure and communications systems, or those of third parties that we use in our operations, may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions, including, without limitation, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, cyber-attacks and other malicious activities such as unauthorized access, physical or electronic break-ins, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code, computer denial of service attacks and other events that could disrupt or harm our business. These protective measures may not be sufficient for all eventualities and may themselves be vulnerable to hacking, malfeasance, system error or other irregularities.
For example, certain parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or subscribers into disclosing usernames, passwords or other sensitive information, which may in turn be used to access our information technology systems. In addition, third-party providers of some of our key systems may also experience interruptions to their information technology hardware and software infrastructure and communications systems that could adversely impact us and over which we may have limited or no control. We may obtain certain confidential, proprietary and personal information about our subscribers, personnel and vendors, and may provide this information to third parties in connection with our business. If one or more of such interruptions or failures occur to us or our third-party providers, it potentially could jeopardize such information and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our or our third-party providers’ information technology hardware and software infrastructure and communications systems, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in, among other things, lawsuits, government claims, investigations or proceedings, significant losses or reputational damage. Due to the fast-moving pace of technology, it may be difficult to detect, contain and remediate every such event on an acceptable timeline or at all.
As a result of the increasing awareness concerning the importance of safeguarding personal information, the potential misuse of such information and legislation that has been adopted or is being considered regarding the protection, privacy and security of personal information, the potential liability associated with information-related risks is increasing, particularly for businesses like ours that handle personal subscriber data. The occurrence of any network or information system related events or security breaches could have a material adverse effect on, among other things, our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. Significant incidents could result in a disruption of our operations, subscriber dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation or a loss of subscribers and revenues.
Our parent, EchoStar, has experienced and we may experience in the future cyber-attacks and other attempts to gain unauthorized access to our systems on a consistent basis.
Our parent, EchoStar, has experienced and we may experience in the future security issues, whether due to, among other things, insider error or malfeasance or system errors or vulnerabilities in our or our third parties’ systems, which could result in, among other things, substantial legal and financial exposure, government inquiries and enforcement actions, litigation, diversion of management time and attention from our existing businesses, and unfavorable media coverage to us. We may be unable to anticipate or detect attacks or vulnerabilities or implement adequate preventative measures on an acceptable timeframe or at all. Attacks and security issues could also compromise trade secrets and other sensitive information.
We are subject to persistent cybersecurity threats to our networks and systems. Although we take protective measures designed to secure our information technology systems and endeavor to modify such protective measures as circumstances warrant, our information technology hardware and software infrastructure and communications systems, or those of third parties that we use in our operations, may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions, including, without limitation, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, cyber-attacks and other malicious activities such as unauthorized access, physical or electronic break-ins, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code, computer denial of service attacks and other events that could disrupt or harm our business. The protective measures we take may not be sufficient for all eventualities and may themselves be vulnerable to hacking, malfeasance, system error, or other irregularities. For example, certain parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or subscribers into disclosing usernames, passwords or other sensitive information, which may in turn be used to access our information technology systems.
In addition, cybersecurity threat actors are increasingly sophisticated through various techniques that involve social engineering and/or misrepresentation. Techniques used in cyberattacks to obtain unauthorized access to, disable or sabotage information technology systems are increasingly diverse and sophisticated, including as a result of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Data breaches and other cybersecurity events have become increasingly commonplace, including as a result of the intensification of state-sponsored cyberattacks during periods of geopolitical conflict. Various events described above have occurred in the past to our parent and may occur in the future. Although impacts of past events have been immaterial, the impacts of such events in the future may be material to our parent or us.
The confidentiality, integrity and availability of our services and products depends on the continuing operation of our information technology and other enabling systems.
Our systems are vulnerable to damage, intrusion or disruption from, among other things, criminal and/or terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, ransomware attacks, digital denial of service attacks, phishing and/or other attempts to injure or maliciously access our systems. Some of our systems are not fully redundant and disaster recovery planning cannot account for all possibilities. In addition, our products and services are highly technical and complex and may contain errors or vulnerabilities, which could result in interruptions in or failure of our services or systems. Failure to respond, mitigate and/or remedy any cyber-attack or other information technology failure on a timely basis or at all, could materially affect our business.
Our international businesses expose us to additional cybersecurity risks that could harm our business.
In addition to risks described elsewhere herein, the different regions and countries in which we operate our businesses outside of the U.S. expose us to increased risks due to different privacy and cyber-related laws in each of these locations. The same cyber-related issue could have different consequences depending on, among other factors, the region or country of occurrence, the laws applicable in each case and the different levels of enforcement by regulatory and governmental authorities in each jurisdiction. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
● data privacy and security concerns relating to our technology and practices could, among other things, damage our reputation, cause us to incur significant liability, and deter current and potential users or customers from using our products and services;
● software bugs or defects, security breaches, and attacks on our systems could result in the improper disclosure of our user data which could harm, among other things, our business reputation and result in legal and/or government action;
● concerns about our practices about the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other data-privacy-related matters, even if unsubstantiated, could harm our reputation and financial condition;
● our policies and practices may change over time as expectations regarding privacy and data change.
Our ongoing investments in security will likely continue to identify new vulnerabilities within our services and products.
In addition to our efforts to, among other things, mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks and improve our products and services, we are making significant investments to assure that our products are resistant to compromise. As a result of these efforts, we could discover new vulnerabilities within our products and systems that would be undesirable for our users and customers. We have discovered and remediated, and may discover new vulnerabilities due to the scale of activities on our platforms, and may not be able to mitigate or fix such vulnerabilities on acceptable timeframes or at all, due to other factors, including, but not limited to, issues outside of our control such as natural disasters/climate change such as sea level rise, drought, flooding, wildfires, increased storm severity, power loss, and we may be notified of such vulnerabilities via third parties. Any of the foregoing developments may, among other things, negatively affect user and customer trust, harm our reputation and brands and adversely affect our business and financial results.
Any such developments may also subject us to litigation and regulatory inquiries, which could result in monetary penalties and damages, distract management’s time and attention and lead to enhanced regulatory oversight.
Acquisition and Capital Structure Risks
We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.
As of December 31, 2024, our total debt, finance lease and other obligations (including current portion) outstanding, was $1.543 billion. Our debt levels could have significant consequences, including, but not limited to;
● making it more difficult to satisfy our obligations;
● a dilutive effect on our future earnings;
● increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions, including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates;
● requiring us to devote a substantial portion of our cash to make interest and principal payments on our debt, thereby reducing the amount of cash available for other purposes. As a result, we would have limited financial and operating flexibility to changing economic and competitive conditions;
● limiting our ability to raise additional debt because it may be more difficult for us to obtain debt financing on attractive terms or at all; and
● placing us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged or can borrow funds at a lower interest rate.
In addition, we may incur additional debt in the future. The terms of the indentures relating to our senior notes, senior secured notes and our convertible notes permit us to incur additional debt. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the risks we now face could intensify.
We may pursue acquisitions, dispositions, capital expenditures, the development, acquisition and launch of new satellites and other strategic initiatives to complement or expand our business, which may not be successful and we may lose a portion or all of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions.
Our future success may depend on opportunities to buy or otherwise invest in other businesses or technologies that could complement, enhance or expand our current business or products or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities. To pursue this strategy successfully, we must identify attractive acquisition or investment opportunities and successfully complete transactions, some of which may be large and complex. We may not be able to identify or complete attractive acquisition or investment opportunities due to, among other things, the intense competition for these transactions. If we are not able to identify and complete such acquisition or investment opportunities, our future results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We may be unable to obtain in the anticipated time frame, or at all, any regulatory approvals required to complete proposed acquisitions and other strategic transactions. Furthermore, the conditions imposed for obtaining any necessary approvals could delay the completion of such transactions for a significant period of time or prevent them from occurring at all. We may not be able to complete such transactions, and such transactions, if executed, pose significant risks and could have a negative effect on our operations. Any transactions that we are able to identify and complete may involve a number of risks, including, but not limited to:
● the risks associated with developing and constructing new satellites;
● the diversion of management’s attention from our existing business onto a strategic initiative;
● the possible adverse effects on our and our targets’ and partners’ business, financial condition or operating results during the integration process;
● the high degree of risk inherent in these transactions, which could become substantial over time, and higher exposure to significant financial losses if the underlying ventures are not successful on an acceptable timeline or at all;
● the possible inability to achieve the intended objectives of the transaction;
● the risks associated with complying with contractual provisions and regulations applicable to the acquired business, which may cause us to incur substantial expenses;
● the disruption of relationships with employees, vendors or customers; and
● the risks associated with foreign and international operations and/or investments or dispositions.
In addition, we may not be able to successfully or profitably integrate, operate, maintain and manage our newly acquired operations or employees on an acceptable timeline or at all. We may not be able to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies, and this may lead to, among other things, operational inefficiencies. In addition, the integration process may strain our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures.
New acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions may require the commitment of significant capital that would otherwise be directed to investments in our existing business. To pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions, we may need to raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all.
In addition to committing capital to complete the acquisitions, substantial capital may be required to operate the acquired businesses following their acquisition. These acquisitions may result in significant financial losses if the intended objectives of the transactions are not achieved. We may acquire similar businesses in the future.
There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully address the challenges and risks encountered by these businesses following their acquisition. If we are unable to successfully address these challenges and risks, our business, financial condition and/or results of operations may suffer.
We will need additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, to fund current obligations, continue investing in our business and to finance acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
Adverse changes in the credit markets including, but not limited to, rising interest rates and macro-economic conditions, could increase our borrowing costs and/or make it more difficult for us to obtain financing for our operations or for us to refinance existing indebtedness on favorable terms.
Continued or prolonged higher interest rates could increase our cost of capital and require us to devote a higher percentage of our cash flow to interest payments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
In addition, economic weakness, weak results of operations or other factors may limit our ability to, among other things, generate sufficient internal cash to fund investments, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other strategic transactions, as well as to fund ongoing operations and service our debt. We may be unable to generate cash flows from operating activities sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our debt and other obligations. If we are unable to service our debt and other obligations from cash flows from operating activities, we may need to refinance or restructure all or a portion of such obligations prior to maturity.
Any refinancing or restructuring could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any refinancing or restructuring would sufficiently meet any debt or other obligations then due. If we do not pay interest or otherwise fulfill our debt obligations when due, our business, cash flows, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely impacted.
Furthermore, our borrowing costs can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, which are based, in significant part, on, among other factors, our performance as measured by their credit metrics. A decrease in these ratings would likely increase our cost of borrowing and/or make it more difficult for us to obtain financing.
A severe disruption in the global financial markets could impact some of the financial institutions with which we do business, and such instability could also affect our access to financing. As a result, these conditions could make it difficult for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities because we may not have access to funding sources necessary for us to pursue organic and strategic business development opportunities.
From time to time a portion of our investment portfolio may be invested in securities that have limited liquidity and may not be immediately accessible to support our financing needs.
From time to time a portion of our investment portfolio may be invested in strategic investments, and as a result, a portion of our portfolio may have restricted liquidity. If the credit ratings of these securities deteriorate or there is a lack of liquidity in the marketplace, we may be required to record impairment charges. Moreover, the uncertainty of domestic and global financial markets can greatly affect the volatility and value of our marketable investment securities. In addition, a portion of our investment portfolio may include strategic and financial investments in debt and equity securities of public companies that are highly speculative and that may experience volatility. Typically, these investments are concentrated in a small number of companies.
The fair value of these investments can be significantly impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as risks related to the performance of the companies whose securities we have invested in, risks associated with specific industries and other factors. These investments are subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the securities markets and of the underlying businesses. The concentration of these investments as a percentage of our overall investment portfolio fluctuates from time to time based on, among other things, the size of our investment portfolio and our ability to liquidate these investments.
In addition, because our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of companies, we may experience a significant loss if any of these companies, among other things, defaults on its obligations, performs poorly, does not generate adequate cash flow to fund its operations, is unable to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms, or at all, or files for bankruptcy, or if the sectors in which these companies operate experience a market downturn. To the extent we require access to funds, we may need to sell these securities under unfavorable market conditions, record impairment charges and fall short of our financing needs.
We will not be able to generate cash to meet our debt service needs or fund our operations.
As of December 31, 2024, our total indebtedness was $1.5 billion. Our ability to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness and to fund our operations will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash, we may be forced to take actions such as revising or delaying our strategic plans, reducing or delaying capital expenditures and/or the development, design, acquisition and construction of new satellites, selling assets, and restructuring or refinancing our debt. We may not be able to implement any of these actions on satisfactory terms, or at all.
Covenants in our indentures restrict our business in many ways.
The indentures governing our 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due August 1, 2026 and 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due August 1, 2026 contain various covenants, subject to certain exceptions, that limit our ability and/or certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:
● incur additional debt;
● pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock;
● make certain investments;
● create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
● enter into transactions with affiliates;
● merge or consolidate with another company;
● transfer and sell assets; and
● restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets.
Failure to comply with these and certain other financial covenants, if not cured or waived, may result in an event of default under the indentures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. If certain events of default occur and are continuing under the respective indenture, the trustee under that indenture or the requisite holders of the notes under that indenture may declare all such notes to be immediately due and payable and, in the case of the indenture governing our secured notes, could proceed against the collateral that secures the secured notes. If certain other events of default occur, the indentures will become immediately due and payable. We and certain of our subsidiaries have pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral to secure the 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due August 1, 2026.
Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business
Our services depend on regulatory authorizations issued by the FCC and state and foreign regulators that can expire or be revoked or modified, and applications for licenses and other authorizations that may not be granted.
If the FCC were to cancel, revoke, suspend, restrict, significantly condition, or fail to renew any of our licenses or authorizations, or fail to grant our applications for FCC licenses that we may file from time to time, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As an example, a loss of a frequency authorization would reduce the amount of spectrum available to us, potentially reducing the amount of offerings available to our subscribers. The materiality of such a loss of authorizations would vary based upon, among other things, the location of the frequency used, or the availability of replacement spectrum. In addition, Congress and other Administrative and Regulatory agencies often consider and enact legislation that affects us and FCC proceedings to implement the Communications Act and enforce its regulations are ongoing. We cannot predict the outcomes of these legislative or regulatory proceedings or their effect on our business.
Generally, all licenses granted by the FCC and most other countries are subject to expiration unless renewed by the regulatory agency. Our satellite licenses are currently set to expire at various times. In addition, we occasionally receive special temporary authorizations that are granted for limited periods of time (e.g., 180 days or less) and subject to possible renewal. Generally, our licenses and special temporary authorizations have been renewed on a routine basis, but there can be no assurance that this will continue.
The risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the risk of changes to laws and regulations, could adversely affect our business.
Our business is regulated by numerous governmental agencies and other regulatory bodies, both domestically and internationally. Also, our international operations are subject to the laws and regulations of many different jurisdictions that may differ significantly from U.S. laws and regulations. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines or penalties or other sanctions which could have a material adverse impact on our business. Additionally, our ability to operate and grow our business depends on laws and regulations that govern the frequency bands and/or orbital locations we operate in or may operate in in the future.
These laws and regulations are subject to the administrative and political process and do change from time to time. We may be affected by changes to government leadership and policy changes resulting from new leaders. We have been subject to such changes in the past and may be subject to such changes in the future and those changes may negatively impact us, including but not limited to, the addition of new regulations, the modification or rescission of past regulations which may be favorable and the increase or decrease of government programs
which us or our subscribers may be recipients. Our business could suffer a material adverse impact if laws and regulations change and we are not able to adapt to these changes efficiently.
Additionally, we are subject to emerging and evolving regulatory requirements and frameworks regarding environmental, social and governance matters, including, but not limited to, potential new or revised disclosure rules proposed by the SEC and recently enacted or proposed legislation in jurisdictions such as California. The ultimate scope of these regulations may change as they are finalized, and they may not be uniform across jurisdictions. Meeting these obligations may require significant investments of time, capital and personnel.
Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock
Our parent, EchoStar, is controlled by one principal stockholder who is also our Chairman.
Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, beneficially owns approximately 51.7% of EchoStar’s total equity securities (assuming conversion of the EchoStar Class B common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Ergen into EchoStar Class A common stock and giving effect to the exercise of options held by Mr. Ergen that are either currently exercisable as of, or may become exercisable within 60 days) and beneficially owns approximately 90.6% of the total voting power of all classes of shares of EchoStar (assuming no conversion of any EchoStar Class B common stock and giving effect to the exercise of options held by Mr. Ergen that are either currently exercisable as of, or may become exercisable within 60 days). Through his beneficial ownership of EchoStar’s equity securities, Mr. Ergen has the ability to elect a majority of EchoStar’s directors and to control all other matters requiring the approval of EchoStar’s stockholders. As a result of Mr. Ergen’s voting power, EchoStar is a “controlled company” as defined in the NASDAQ listing rules and, therefore, are not subject to NASDAQ requirements that would otherwise require us to have (i) a majority of independent directors; (ii) a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors; (iii) compensation of our or EchoStar’s executive officers determined by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; (iv) a compensation committee charter which provides the compensation committee with the authority and funding to retain compensation consultants and other advisors; and/or (v) director nominees selected, or recommended for the EchoStar Board of Directors selection, either by a majority of the independent directors or a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors.
General Risks
Sociopolitical volatility and polarization may adversely affect our business operations and reputation.
The current sociopolitical environment is characterized by deep complexity, volatility and polarization on various social and political issues. The increasing intersection of technology and politics has led to rapid and unpredictable shifts in public sentiment. Social media and digital platforms have amplified the voices of various stakeholders, creating the potential for swift change in public opinion and stronger reactions to corporate actions. As a company that sells products and services across the nation to millions of customers, these dynamics increase the risk of negative government and customer reactions, including, but not limited to, potential reputational damage, boycotts and shifts in consumer behavior that could adversely affect our brand, sales and profitability. Our ability to respond effectively, sensitively and authentically to the expectations and concerns of our customers, employees and other stakeholders is key to mitigating these risks. If we are unable to manage these challenges effectively, there may be adverse impacts to our business, reputation, financial condition and operating results.
We may face other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the SEC.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal executive offices are located at 9601 South Meridian Boulevard, Englewood, Colorado 80112-5308 and our telephone number is (303) 723-1000. We operate various facilities in the United States and abroad. We believe that our facilities are well maintained and are sufficient to meet our current and projected needs.
Location
Function
Owned:
Englewood, Colorado
Corporate headquarters
Germantown, Maryland
Hughes corporate headquarters, manufacturing, engineering offices, network operations and shared hubs
Griesheim, Germany
Shared hub, operations, administrative offices and warehouse
Leased:
Gilbert, Arizona
Gateways
San Diego, California
Engineering and sales offices
Englewood, Colorado
Gateways and equipment
Germantown, Maryland
Manufacturing and testing facilities, logistics, and administrative offices
Southfield, Michigan
Shared hub and regional network management center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Shared hub, antennae yards, gateway, backup network operation and control center for Hughes corporate headquarters
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Gateways and equipment
Barueri, Brazil
Shared hub
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hughes Brazil corporate headquarters, sales offices and warehouse
Bangalore, India
Engineering office and office space
Gurgaon, India
Administrative offices, shared hub, operations, warehouse, and development center
New Delhi, India
Hughes India corporate headquarters
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Hughes Europe corporate headquarters and operations

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 12 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding certain legal proceedings in which we are involved.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
As of March 10, 2025, all 1,078 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock were held by EchoStar. There is currently no established trading market for our common stock. Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock and as of March 10, 2025, no shares of our preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Dividends
On March 17, 2022, our Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a cash dividend on our outstanding common stock to our shareholder and parent, EchoStar, in the amount of $100 million. Payment of this dividend was made in the first quarter of 2022.
On February 15, 2024, our Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a cash dividend on our outstanding common stock to our shareholder and parent, EchoStar, in the amount of $529 million. Payment of the dividend was made in the first quarter of 2024.
On March 12, 2024, our Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a cash dividend on our outstanding common stock to our shareholder and parent, EchoStar, in the amount of $500 million. Payment of the dividend was made in the first quarter of 2024.
While we currently do not intend to declare additional dividends on our common stock, we may elect to do so from time to time. Payment of any future dividends will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors the Board of Directors considers appropriate. We currently intend to retain our earnings, if any, to support operations, debt services, future growth and expansion. Our ability to declare dividends is affected by the covenants in our indentures See Note 9 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. RESERVED
Not applicable.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following management’s narrative analysis of results of operations together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This management’s narrative analysis is intended to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, such forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overview
On December 31, 2023, EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 2, 2023 (the “Amended Merger Agreement”), by and among EchoStar, EAV Corp., a Nevada corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and DISH Network, pursuant to which EchoStar acquired DISH Network by means of the merger of Merger Sub with and into DISH Network (the “Merger”), with DISH Network surviving the Merger as EchoStar’s wholly owned subsidiary. 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, 2023.
Our industry continues to evolve with the increasing worldwide demand for broadband internet access for information, entertainment and commerce. In addition to fiber and wireless systems, technologies such as geostationary high throughput satellites, low-earth orbit (“LEO”) networks, medium-earth orbit (“MEO”) systems and multi-transport networks using combinations of technologies are expected to continue to play significant roles in enabling global connectivity, networks and services. We expect demand for broadband internet access, connectivity, networking and related value-added services will continue to grow across all major end-user sectors - consumer, businesses, enterprises and government. We intend to use our expertise, technologies, capital, investments, global presence, relationships and other capabilities to continue to provide broadband internet systems, equipment, networks and managed services for information, the internet-of-things, entertainment, education, remote-connectivity and commerce across industries and communities globally for consumer and enterprise customers. We are closely tracking the developments in next-generation satellite businesses, and we are seeking to utilize our services, technologies, licenses and expertise to find new commercial opportunities for our business.
We manage our business activities on a consolidated basis and operate as a single operating segment: Hughes. Historically, we reported two primary business segments: (1) Hughes; and (2) EchoStar Satellite Services. See Note 13 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our segment reporting.
Hughes Segment
We are an industry leader in both networking technologies and services, innovating to deliver the global solutions that power a connected future for people, enterprises and things everywhere. We provide broadband services to consumer customers, which include home and small to medium-sized businesses, and satellite, multi-transport technologies and managed network services to enterprise customers, telecommunications providers, airlines and government entities, including civilian and defense.
The EchoStar XXIV satellite began service in December 2023, bringing additional broadband capacity across North and South America and is an integral part of our satellite services business. We have leveraged the EchoStar XXIV to deliver satellite services to unserved and underserved consumer markets in the Americas as well as enterprise, aeronautical and government markets. Effective December 2023, we lease the capacity of EchoStar XXIV from an affiliate of ours, EchoStar XXIV L.L.C.
We also design, provide and install gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, we design, develop, construct and provide telecommunication networks comprising satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators and our enterprise customers. We offer a robust suite of integrated, multi-transport solutions to enable airline and airline service providers to deliver reliable in-flight network connectivity serving both commercial and business aviation.
Our Hughes segment continues to focus its efforts on optimizing financial returns on our satellite portfolio. Our consumer revenue business depends on our success in adding new and retaining existing subscribers, as well as maintaining or growing our Average Revenue Per User/Subscriber (“ARPU”). Service and acquisition costs related to ongoing support for our direct and indirect customers and partners are typically impacted most significantly by our growth. The growth of our enterprise and consumer businesses relies heavily on global economic conditions and the competitive landscape for pricing relative to competitors and alternative technologies. Prior to the launch of EchoStar XXIV, we were nearing or had reached capacity in most areas of the U.S., which constrained growth within our consumer subscriber base. Growth within our Latin America consumer subscriber base in certain areas had also become capacity constrained. These constraints have been addressed by the EchoStar XXIV satellite.
Our business strategy is to maintain and improve our leadership position and competitive advantage through development of leading-edge technologies and services marketed to selected sectors within the consumer, enterprise and government markets globally. We are an industry leader in both networking technologies and services, innovating to deliver the global solutions that power a connected future for people, enterprises and things everywhere.
Backlog
As of December 31, 2024, our Hughes segment had approximately $1.6 billion of contracted revenue backlog. We define the Hughes segment contracted revenue backlog as our expected future revenue under enterprise customer contracts that are non-cancelable, including lease revenue.
Competition
Our industry is highly competitive. As a global provider of network technologies, products and services, we compete with a large number of telecommunications and satellite internet service providers.
In our enterprise markets, we compete against multiple categories of providers. In the managed services area, we compete against providers of satellite-based and terrestrial-based networks, including fiber optic, cable, wireless internet service and internet protocol-based virtual private networks (VPN), which vary by region. In the in-flight connectivity market, we compete against direct and indirect providers of in-flight WiFi services, such as ViaSat and SpaceX.
In our consumer broadband satellite technologies and internet services markets, we compete against traditional telecommunications and wireless carriers, other satellite internet providers, as well as fiber optic, cable and wireless internet service providers. Our primary satellite competitors in the North American consumer market are ViaSat Communications, Inc., which is owned by ViaSat, Inc. (“ViaSat”) and Starlink Services LLC, which is owned by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”). Both ViaSat and SpaceX have also entered the South and Central American consumer markets. Our principal competitors for the supply of satellite technology platforms are Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd, ViaSat and ST Engineering iDirect, Inc.
Satellites
Operation of our Hughes segment requires adequate satellite transmission capacity for the services that we offer. In the event of a failure or loss of any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity or relocate one of our other satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite. Such a failure could result in a prolonged loss of services.
Satellite Insurance
We generally do not carry commercial in-orbit insurance on any of the satellites that we own and therefore, we will bear the risk associated with any uninsured in-orbit satellite failures.
Pursuant to the terms of our joint venture agreement with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (“Yahsat”) in Brazil in 2019, we are required to maintain insurance for the Al Yah 3 Brazilian payload during the commercial in-orbit service of such payload, subject to certain limitations on coverage. The insurance policies were procured by Yahsat, under which we and Yahsat are the beneficiaries of any claims in proportion to their shareholdings. An insurance claim was submitted in the second quarter of 2023 for compensation with respect to the reduction in estimated useful life of the Al Yah 3 satellite. As of December 31, 2024, we have yet to receive any compensation from the insurance claim. We will continue to assess circumstances going forward and make insurance-related decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Satellite Anomalies and Impairments
Our satellites may experience anomalies from time to time, some of which may have a significant adverse effect on their remaining useful lives, the commercial operation of the satellites, our operating results or financial position. Other than the anomalies related to the Al Yah 3 satellite in 2023, we are not aware of any other anomalies with respect to our owned or leased satellites as of December 31, 2024. There can be no assurance, however, that undetected existing or future anomalies will not have a significant adverse effect on our operations or revenue in the future. In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our satellites were to fail.
Cybersecurity
We are not aware of any cyber-incidents with respect to our owned or leased satellites or other networks, equipment or systems that have had a material adverse effect on our business, costs, operations, prospects, results of operation or financial position during the year ended December 31, 2024 and through March 12, 2025. There can be no assurance, however, that a cybersecurity incident will be detected or thwarted or will not have a material adverse effect in the future.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operational Liquidity
We primarily rely on our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances, as well as cash flow generated through our operations, to fund our business operations. Consumer revenue depends on our success in adding new and retaining existing subscribers. Revenue in our enterprise and equipment businesses relies heavily on global economic conditions and the competitive landscape for pricing relative to competitors and alternative technologies. There can be no assurance that we will have positive cash flows from operations. If we experience negative cash flows, our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances may be further reduced. We currently anticipate that our existing cash and marketable investment securities are sufficient to fund the currently anticipated operations of our business through the next twelve months. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we liquidated our marketable investment securities portfolio to make cash distributions to our parent.
Debt Issuances and Maturity
On July 27, 2016, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes at an issue price of 100.0% due August 1, 2026 (“2026 Senior Secured Notes”). Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year.
On July 27, 2016, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes at an issue price of 100.0% due August 1, 2026 (“2026 Senior Unsecured Notes”). Interest accrues at an annual rate of 6 5/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year.
The 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes are referred to collectively as the “Senior Notes.”
Future Liquidity
We have made cash distributions to partially finance the consolidated operations and debt service payment obligations of our parent company, EchoStar, and its subsidiaries. On February 15, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a cash dividend on the Company’s outstanding stock to our shareholder and parent, EchoStar, in the amount of $529 million. On March 12, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a cash dividend on the Company’s outstanding common stock to EchoStar in the amount of $500 million. Payment of both dividends was made in the first quarter of 2024.
While we currently do not intend to declare additional dividends on our common stock, we may elect to do so from time to time. Payment of any future dividends will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors the Board of Directors considers appropriate. We currently intend to retain our earnings, if any, to support operations, debt services, future growth and expansion. Our ability to declare dividends is affected by the covenants in our indentures.
We may make additional funds available to EchoStar in the form of prepayments for services rendered or loans to finance, in whole or in part, EchoStar’s future operations and debt service obligations. Any such distributions or advances, as well as other factors including, among others, debt maturities, continuing investment in our business, financing acquisitions and other strategic transactions, will reduce the amount of our cash flows available to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, debt obligations and other general corporate requirements, and may require us to refinance our existing debt agreements or raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
We do not currently have cash, marketable investment securities balances and/or projected future cash flows to fully fund our 2026 debt maturities. We will need to refinance or restructure all or a portion of such obligations prior to maturity.
Covenants and Restrictions Related to our Senior Notes
The indentures related to our outstanding senior notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock; (iv) restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets; (v) make certain investments; (vi) create liens; (vii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (viii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (ix) transfer or sell assets. Should we fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of the debt under the senior notes, senior secured notes and our other long-term debt could become immediately payable. The senior notes and senior secured notes also provide that the debt may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur. As of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our respective long-term debt.
EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS
Service revenue. “Service revenue” consists principally includes the sales of consumer and enterprise broadband services, maintenance and other contracted services, revenue associated with satellite and transponder leases and services, satellite uplinking/downlinking, and subscriber wholesale service fees for the HughesNet service. Certain of the amounts included in “Service revenue” are not recurring on a monthly basis.
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” principally includes broadband equipment and networks sold both to customers in our consumer and enterprise markets.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” primarily includes the cost of broadband services provided to our consumer and enterprise customers, maintenance and other contracted services, and costs associated with satellite and transponder leases and services.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. “Cost of sales - equipment and other” principally consists of the cost of broadband equipment and networks provided to customers in our consumer and enterprise markets. It also includes certain other costs associated with the deployment of equipment to our customers.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” primarily include selling costs, and employee-related costs associated with administrative services such as legal, information systems, accounting and finance, and including bad debt expense. It also includes research and development expenses associated with the design and development of products to support future growth and provide new technology and innovation to our customers, professional fees, and other expenses associated with facilities and administrative services.
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill. “Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill” includes our impairment losses related to our property and equipment, regulatory authorizations, goodwill, and other intangible assets.
Interest income. “Interest income” primarily includes interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities, and other investments including premium amortization, discount accretion on debt securities, and changes in allowance for estimated credit losses on investments.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” primarily includes interest expense associated with our long-term debt (net of capitalized interest), prepayment premiums, amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs associated with our long-term debt, and interest expense associated with our finance lease obligations.
Other, net. “Other, net” primarily includes gains and losses realized on the sale of marketable and non-marketable investment securities, impairment of marketable and non-marketable investment securities, impairment of our equity method investments, unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of certain marketable and non-marketable investment securities, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates, dividends received from our marketable investment securities, and other non-operating income and expense items that are not appropriately classified elsewhere in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”). OIBDA is defined as “Operating income (loss)” plus “Depreciation and amortization.” This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to “Operating income (loss)” in our discussion of “Results of Operations” below.
Broadband subscribers. Broadband subscribers include domestic and international customers that subscribe to our HughesNet service, through retail, wholesale and small/medium enterprise service channels.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table presents our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023:
For the Years Ended
December 31,
Variance
Statements of Operations Data
Amount
%
(In thousands)
Revenue:
Service revenue
$
1,210,840
$
1,448,489
$
(237,649)
(16.4)
Equipment sales and other revenue
349,533
299,367
50,166
16.8
Total revenue
1,560,373
1,747,856
(187,483)
(10.7)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services
681,021
540,945
140,076
25.9
% of Service revenue
56.2
%
37.3
%
Cost of sales - equipment and other
307,742
239,336
68,406
28.6
% of Equipment sales and other revenue
88.0
%
79.9
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
375,538
439,984
(64,446)
(14.6)
% of Total revenue
24.1
%
25.2
%
Depreciation and amortization
365,902
389,632
(23,730)
(6.1)
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
-
532,940
(532,940)
*
Total costs and expenses
1,730,203
2,142,837
(412,634)
(19.3)
Operating income (loss)
(169,830)
(394,981)
225,151
57.0
Other income (expense):
Interest income
25,393
85,036
(59,643)
(70.1)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
(98,802)
(89,569)
(9,233)
(10.3)
Other, net
(9,024)
(32,798)
23,774
72.5
Total other income (expense), net
(82,433)
(37,331)
(45,102)
*
Income (loss) before income taxes
(252,263)
(432,312)
180,049
41.6
Income tax benefit (provision), net
34,153
(46,126)
80,279
*
Effective tax rate
13.5
%
(10.7)
%
Net income (loss)
(218,110)
(478,438)
260,328
54.4
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(8,707)
(16,569)
7,862
47.5
Net income (loss) attributable to HSSC
$
(209,403)
$
(461,869)
$
252,466
54.7
Other data:
Broadband subscribers, as of period end (in millions)
0.883
1.004
(0.121)
(12.1)
Broadband subscribers additions (losses), net (in millions)
(0.121)
(0.224)
0.103
46.0
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds
$
205,330
$
190,129
$
15,201
8.0
OIBDA**
$
196,072
$
(5,349)
$
201,421
*
*Percentage is not meaningful.
**
A reconciliation of OIBDA to Operating income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure in our Consolidated Financial Statements, is included in Results of Operations. For further information on our use of OIBDA, see Explanation of Key Metrics and Other Items.
Broadband subscribers. We lost approximately 121,000 net Broadband subscribers for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 224,000 net Broadband subscribers during the same period in 2023. The decrease in net Broadband subscriber losses was primarily due to lower subscriber disconnects as a result of the new EchoStar XXIV satellite service launch, which increased capacity and subscriber service satisfaction. We continue to operate in a highly competitive environment, with continued pressure from satellite-based competitors and other technologies.
Service revenue. “Service revenue” totaled $1.211 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $238 million, or 16.4%, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower sales of broadband services to our North American and international consumer customers and our North American enterprise customers. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2023 was positively impacted by revenue from Hughes Systique which was deconsolidated from our Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2023.
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” totaled $350 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $50 million, or 16.8%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher hardware sales to our North American and international enterprise customers; partially offset by a decrease in hardware sales to our mobile satellite system customers.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $681 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $140 million, or 25.9%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in transponder lease costs from the EchoStar XXIV lease, partially offset by lower costs of broadband services to our North American and international consumer customers. Our Cost of services represented 56.2% and 37.3% of Service revenue during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This increase primarily resulted from a change in service mix to lower margin services.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. “Cost of sales - equipment and other” totaled $308 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $68 million, or 28.6%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to the corresponding increase in equipment revenue.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $376 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $64 million, or 14.6%, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower costs to support the Hughes segment and lower marketing expenditures, partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense.
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $366 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $24 million, or 6.1%, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in non-satellite depreciation expense.
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill. “Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill” totaled $533 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This impairment represents a noncash impairment charge to goodwill. See Note 2 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Interest income. “Interest income” totaled $25 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $60 million, or 70.1% as compared to 2023. This decrease primarily resulted from lower average cash and marketable investment securities balances during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $99 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $9 million, or 10.3%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in capitalized interest relating to the EchoStar XXIV satellite program which was placed in service in December 2023.
Other, net. “Other, net” totaled $9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $24 million, or 73% as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily related to the impairment of our investment in Broadband Connectivity Solutions (Restricted) Limited (BCS) as a result of increased competition and the economic environment of this business during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Income tax benefit (provision), net. “Income tax benefit (provision), net” was $34 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $(46) million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Our effective income tax rate was 13.5% and (10.7)% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The variations in our effective tax rate from the U.S. federal statutory rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 were primarily due to excluded foreign losses where the Company carries a full valuation allowance, and the impact of state and local taxes. The variations in our effective tax rate from the U.S. federal statutory rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 were primarily due to excluded losses for goodwill impairment, excluded investment impairment losses, and excluded foreign losses where the Company carries a full valuation allowance.
Net income (loss) attributable to HSSC. The changes in “Net income (loss) attributable to HSSC” during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures and Reconciliation
It is management’s intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of our financial information in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures in addition to the GAAP measures allows management, investors and other users of our financial information to more fully and accurately assess both consolidated and segment performance. The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and may not be directly comparable to that of other companies.
OIBDA
OIBDA, which is presented below, is a non-GAAP measure and does not purport to be an alternative to operating income (loss) as a measure of operating performance. We believe this measure is useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability of our business on a more variable cost basis as it excludes the depreciation and amortization expenses related primarily to capital expenditures and acquisitions, as well as in evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors. OIBDA is calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization expense to operating income (loss).
For the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Operating income (loss)
$
(169,830)
$
(394,981)
$
254,452
Depreciation and amortization
365,902
389,632
431,065
OIBDA
$
196,072
$
(5,349)
$
685,517
The changes in OIBDA during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses.
Guarantor Financial Information
Our senior notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). Specifically, EchoStar Orbital, L.L.C., EchoStar Government Services, L.L.C., EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., HNS-India VSAT, Inc, Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C, HNS License-Sub L.L.C., HNS Real Estate L.L.C., Hughes Communications, Inc., Hughes Network Systems International Service, Co., HNS Americas, L.L.C., HNS Americas II, L.L.C.
Certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries are designated as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” and do not guarantee any of our registered senior notes. The guarantee of the Guarantors will be discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture. The rights of holders of the registered senior notes against the Guarantors may be limited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or state fraudulent transfer or conveyance law.
Each entity in the summarized combined financial information follows the same accounting policies as described in the consolidated financial statements. Information for the non-Guarantor subsidiaries has been excluded from the combined summarized financial information of the obligated group. The accompanying summarized combined financial information does not reflect investments of the obligated group in non-Guarantor subsidiaries. The financial information of the obligated group is presented on a combined basis and is derived from HSSC’s consolidated financial statements; intercompany balances and transactions within the obligated group have been eliminated. The obligated group’s amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries and related parties have been presented in separate line items.
The summarized balance sheet information for the combined obligor group of debt issued by HSSC is presented in the table below:
As of December 31,
(In thousands)
Current assets
$
572,781
$
1,954,927
Noncurrent assets
2,575,931
2,781,659
Current liabilities
410,630
670,383
Noncurrent liabilities
2,588,899
2,725,566
Due from non-guarantors
91,679
123,822
Due from related parties
19,881
12,266
Due to non-guarantors
38,880
44,165
Due to related parties
788,633
1,091,478
The summarized results of operations information for the consolidated obligor group of debt issued by HSSC is presented in the table below:
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Total revenues
$
1,338,131
Operating income (loss)
(130,543)
Net income (loss)
(152,368)
Revenue from non-guarantors
35,959

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risks Associated with Financial Instruments
Our investments and debt are exposed to market risks, discussed below.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had a fair value of $204 million. Of that amount, a total of $204 million was invested in: (a) cash; (b) money market funds; (c) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (d) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and/or (e) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper and corporate obligations described above. The primary purpose of these investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to, among other things, continue investing in our business, pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions, fund ongoing operations, repay debt obligations and expand our business. Consequently, the size of this portfolio can fluctuate significantly as cash is received and used in our business for these or other purposes. The value of this portfolio is negatively impacted by credit losses; however, this risk is mitigated through diversification that limits our exposure to any one issuer.
Interest Rate Risk
A change in interest rates would affect the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities portfolio; however, we normally hold these investments to maturity. Based on our December 31, 2024 current non-strategic investment portfolio of $204 million, a hypothetical 10% change in average interest rates would not have a material impact on the fair value due to the limited duration of our investments.
Our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had an average annual rate of return for the year ended December 31, 2024 of 5.6%. A change in interest rates would affect our future annual interest income from this portfolio, since funds would be re-invested at different rates as the instruments mature. A hypothetical 10% decrease in average interest rates during 2024 would result in a decrease of approximately $2 million in annual interest income.
Other Investments
Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are privately held depends on the success of those companies’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans. Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we sell them, we will not be able to recover our investment.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Our international business is conducted in a variety of foreign currencies with our largest exposures being to the Brazilian real, the Indian rupee, European euro and the British pound. Transactions in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect on the dates of the transactions. This exposes us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily resulting from loans to foreign subsidiaries in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, we may enter into foreign currency forward contracts, or take other measures, to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions. As of December 31, 2024, we had foreign currency forward contracts
with a notional amount of $1 million in place to partially mitigate foreign currency exchange risk. The estimated fair values of the foreign currency contracts were not material as of December 31, 2024. The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on the carrying amount of the net assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries during 2024 would have resulted in an estimated loss to the cumulative translation adjustment of $32 million as of December 31, 2024.
Long-Term Debt
As of December 31, 2024, we had debt of $1.545 billion, excluding finance lease obligations and unamortized deferred financing costs and debt discounts, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We estimated the fair value of this debt to be approximately $1.327 billion using quoted market prices. The fair value of our debt is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% decrease in assumed interest rates would increase the fair value of our debt by approximately $32 million. To the extent interest rates increase, our future costs of financing would increase at the time of any future financings. As of December 31, 2024, primarily all of our long-term debt consisted of fixed rate indebtedness.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We generally do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes and we generally do not apply hedge accounting treatment to our derivative financial instruments. We evaluate our derivative financial instruments from time to time but there can be no assurance that we will not enter into additional foreign currency forward contracts, or take other measures, in the future to mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our consolidated financial statements are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2024. KPMG LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
EchoStar’s Board of Directors, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board of Directors believes that a change would be in its best interests.
Fees Paid to KPMG LLP for 2024 and 2023
The following table presents fees for the aggregate professional audit services rendered by KPMG LLP for the annual audit of the financial statements of EchoStar and its subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG LLP to EchoStar and its subsidiaries during those periods. We have reported the fees billed for services rendered to both EchoStar and its subsidiaries because the services are not rendered or billed specifically for us but for the EchoStar consolidated group as a whole. Prior year fees paid to KPMG for both EchoStar and DISH Network pre-Merger have been combined to be consistent with the current year presentation.
For the Years Ended December 31,
Audit Fees (1)
$
7,756,168
$
9,724,769
Audit-Related Fees
480,000
1,052,603
Tax Compliance Fees
643,786
858,580
All Other Fees (2)
141,744
115,000
Total Fees
$
9,021,698
$
11,750,952
(1) Consists of fees paid by EchoStar and its subsidiaries for the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in EchoStar and its subsidiaries Annual Reports on Form 10-K, review of EchoStar and its subsidiaries unaudited financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and fees in connection with the audit of EchoStar and its subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting.
(2) Consists of fees for services related to review of contract compliance.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
EchoStar’s Board of Directors delegated to EchoStar’s Audit Committee the responsibility for appointing, setting compensation, retaining, and overseeing the work of its independent registered public accounting firm until December 31, 2024.
Requests are submitted to the Audit Committee of EchoStar in one of the following ways:
● Request for approval of services at a meeting of the Audit Committee; or
● Request for approval of services by members of the Audit Committee acting by written consent.
The request may be made with respect to either specific services or a type of service for predictable or recurring services. 100% of the fees paid to KPMG LLP for services rendered in 2024 and 2023 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee of EchoStar.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
Page
(1)
Financial Statements
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity (Deficit)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1
Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 2, 2023, by and among EchoStar, DISH and Merger Sub (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 03, 2023.)+
3.1(a)*
Articles of Incorporation of EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), dated as of March 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-179121).
3.1(b)*
Articles of Amendment of EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), dated as of October 26, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-179121).
3.1(c)*
Articles of Amendment of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, dated as of December 30, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(c) to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed February 21, 2014, Commission File No. 333-179121.
3.1(d)*
Articles of Amendment of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, dated as of January 21, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(d) to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed February 21, 2014, Commission File No. 333-179121).
3.1(e)*
Articles of Amendment of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, dated as of February 28, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, filed May 9, 2014, Commission File No. 333-179121).
3.1(f)*
Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, dated as of March 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 32 to EchoStar Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807).
3.2*
Bylaws of EH Holding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-179121).
4.1*
Security Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2011, among EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to EchoStar Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 9, 2011, Commission File No. 001-33807).
Exhibit No.
Description
4.2*
Indenture, relating to the 5.250% Senior Secured Notes, dated as of July 27, 2016, among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to EchoStar Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2016, Commission File No. 001-33807).
4.3*
Indenture, relating to the 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes, dated as of July 27, 2016, among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to EchoStar Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2016, Commission File No. 001-33807).
4.4*
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2016, among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to EchoStar Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2016, Commission File No. 001-33807).
4.5*
Additional Secured Party Joinder, dated as of July 27, 2016, among U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and successor collateral agent, and Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to EchoStar Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2016, Commission File No. 001-33807).
4.6*
Form of 5.250% Senior Secured Note due 2026 (included as part of Exhibit 4.2).
4.7*
Form of 6.625% Senior Unsecured Note due 2026 (included as part of Exhibit 4.3).
4.8*
Supplemental Indenture relating to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, dated March 23, 2017, by and among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors and the supplemental guarantor listed on the signature pages thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed April 6, 2017, Commission File No. 333-179121).
4.9*
Supplemental Indenture relating to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s 6.625% Senior Notes due 2026, dated as of March 23, 2017, by and among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors and the supplemental guarantor listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed April 6, 2017, Commission File No. 333-179121).
4.10*
Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2017, to the Security Agreement dated as of June 8, 2011, by and between HNS Americas, L.L.C., HNS Americas II, L.L.C. and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed February 22, 2018, Commission File No. 333-179121).
4.11*
Second Supplemental Indenture relating to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, dated August 10, 2017, by and among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors and the supplemental guarantor listed on the signature pages thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.24 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed February 22, 2018, Commission File No. 333-179121).
4.12*
Second Supplemental Indenture relating to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s 6.625% Senior Notes due 2026, dated as of August 10, 2017, by and among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors and the supplemental guarantor listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.25 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed February 22, 2018, Commission File No. 333-179121).
Exhibit No.
Description
4.13*
Joinder Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2019, to the Security Agreement dated as of June 8, 2011, by and between EchoStar BSS Corporation, EchoStar FSS L.L.C. and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed August 8, 2019, Commission File No. 333-179121).
4.14*
Third Supplemental Indenture relating to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, dated June 12, 2019, by and among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors and the supplemental guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and successor collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed August 8, 2019, Commission File No. 333-179121).
4.15*
Third Supplemental Indenture relating to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s 6.625% Senior Notes due 2026, dated as of June 12, 2019, by and among Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, the guarantors and the supplemental guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed August 8, 2019, Commission File No. 333-179121).
10.1*
Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Stock Incentive Plan”) (incorporated by reference to EchoStar Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14, filed September 18, 2014, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.2*
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Hughes Communications, Inc., filed June 22, 2006, (Commission File No. 000-51784)). **
10.3*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive or Director (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed November 6, 2015, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.4*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (1999) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed February 24, 2016, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
10.5*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan - Employee (2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed February 24, 2016, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
10.6*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive (2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed February 24, 2016, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
10.7*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan - Employee (2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed February 24, 2016, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
10.8*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive (2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed February 24, 2016, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
Exhibit No.
Description
10.9*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for 2008 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive or Director (2011) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Hughes Satellite System Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed February 24, 2016, Commission File No. 333-179121).**
10.10*
EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to EchoStar Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14, filed March 23, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.11*
Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to EchoStar Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14, filed March 23, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.12*
Amendment No. 1 to EchoStar Corporation 2017 Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated October 20, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, filed November 3, 2022, Commission File No. 001-33807)**
10.13*
EchoStar Non-Qualified Plan -- Executive Plan and Adoption Agreement, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, filed August 9, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.14*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan - Employee (2017) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, filed August 9, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.15*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive (2017) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, filed August 9, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807). **
10.16*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive (2017) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, filed August 9, 2017, Commission File No. 001-33807).**
10.17*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan - Employee (2022) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, filed November 3, 2022, Commission File No. 001-33807)**
10.18*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive (2022) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, filed November 3, 2022, Commission File No. 001-33807) **
10.19*
Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (2022) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, filed November 3, 2022, Commission File No. 001-33807)**
10.20*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the EchoStar Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan - Executive (2022) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, filed November 3, 2022, Commission File No. 001-33807) **
10.21*
Amendment to EchoStar Non-Qualified Plan-Executive Plan and Adoption Agreement, dated November 1, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2018, filed February 21, 2019, Commission File No. 333-179121).**
Exhibit No.
Description
10.22*
Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation Executive Officer Bonus Incentive Plan, dated as of April 30, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed August 8, 2019, Commission File No. 333-179121).**
10.23*
Amendment to EchoStar Non-Qualified Plan - Executive Plan and Adoption Agreement, dated October 21, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to EchoStar Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, filed November 5, 2020, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
10.24*
Amendment No. 1 to EchoStar Corporation 2017 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to EchoStar Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed March 17, 2021, Commission File No. 001 33807). **
10.25*
Second Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation Executive Officer Bonus Incentive Plan, dated as of November 2, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2021, filed February 24, 2022, Commission File No. 333-179121). **
10.26
Amended and Restated Support Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2023, by and among EchoStar, DISH Network, and the Ergen Stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 03, 2023.)+
19*
EchoStar Corporation’s Insider Trading Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19 to EchoStar Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 27, 2025).
22 (H)
List of Subsidiary Guarantors
31.1 (H)
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2 (H)
Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1 (H)
Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2 (H)
Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document. The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
(H)Filed herewith.
*
Incorporated by reference.
**
Constitutes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
+
Schedules, annexes and/or exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules, annexes and/or exhibits upon request by the SEC; provided, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) for any schedules so furnished.