Details of the Default and Contract Termination

Crown Castle revealed that DISH Wireless, along with its parent company EchoStar, initially built a wireless communications network with the expectation of providing substantial services to Americans. However, after EchoStar's announcement last summer about selling public spectrum licenses to AT&T and SpaceX, DISH notified its partners, including Crown Castle, in September 2025 that it would discontinue its network business.

As part of its rationale, DISH claimed that regulatory changes by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) meant it was no longer obligated to honor its contractual commitments. Although DISH continued making payments initially, it eventually defaulted, prompting Crown Castle to act to safeguard its shareholder interests.

Crown Castle has indicated it will pursue recovery of over $3.5 billion tied to these obligations. This move is seen as a necessary step to protect the integrity of its business operations.

Implications for Crown Castle and the Telecommunications Landscape

According to a statement from Crown Castle, the company does not expect these developments to impact its financial results for the full year of 2025. They remain supportive of the transition to new operators, particularly in light of AT&T and SpaceX acquiring critical spectrum bands, which are essential for advancing wireless communications in the U.S.

Crown Castle emphasized that it would rigorously enforce its rights in relation to DISH, expressing its concern that DISH has not compensated the American workers and businesses involved in building its network. Moreover, there are significant implications as spectrum licenses being sold are valued at more than $40 billion.

About Crown Castle Inc.

Crown Castle is a leading provider of communications infrastructure in the United States. The company owns and operates approximately 40,000 cell towers and about 90,000 route miles of fiber. Its extensive network supports small cell and fiber solutions, connecting major U.S. markets to vital data and technology services.

For more information about Crown Castle and its operations, visit www.crowncastle.com.

Cautionary Statements

This article contains forward-looking statements based on Crown Castle management's expectations regarding the implications of DISH's default and the ability to recover payments. Potential risk factors that could affect Crown Castle's results are detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.