Dish is SECRETIVE, so we don't really know how far along Dish is on its build-out of spectrum, but some test markets for sure and working networks already. Ergen seemed to ALWAYS have a "go it alone plan" as a last resort but preferred to work with a partner, and presumably, share costs. Dish just took on a $1 billion debt that Dish does not need--UNLESS it were going forward with a build out. Otherwise, Dish would have sold that spectrum. IMHO, Ergen got the spectrum because he NEEDS it and has a plan, but it is always wiser to share costs whenever possible, but the time has come for Dish to move forward alone, at least for now because this just makes Dish MORE attractive to potential buyers. Of course we will wait as long as it takes to share the cost, but at some point near the deadline, Ergen knew he would have to move forward on his own, and implement that plan. None of this precludes partners and strategic alliances coming in a few months to a few years before 2020, even Dish being purchased by another company before 2020.
Ergen made clear in his remarks at the last quarterly conference call, that Dish, "will meet the deadlines." They are "focused" on that. Keep in mind that serving 40% in a "certain region" is a fine relative milestone that can be achieved at the ease of any company choosing to build out in just the right "region" where such numbers are not a challenge. Then there is the next deadline beyond 2020, which Dish could also meet, however, let's remember, these companies with spectrum (and all other sorts in dealing with the FCC and other government agencies) get extensions, waivers, etc., etc., etc., from the FCC and all the what not ALL THE TIME, at least so long as there is clear evidence that they are in the process of a build out.
There is nothing for Dish to worry about because $1 billion debt is chump change even for a company as small as Dish, and just moving forward on the build out just enhances Dish's value to potential buyers. The writer of the article, like MOST such people in the business press, is pretty ignorant or consciously omits facts to suit his purpose for the article: most often these business press people are mouthpieces for the companies and interests that have co-opted them to make either positive or negative remarks that can affect a company, negotiations, public image, or even a market as investors foolishly believe everything they print that is favorable or negative about whatever.
Bottom line: there is no news here and no one is gonna lose their spectrum.
