EchoStar Corp. has committed $1.3 billion to MDA Space for the first 100 Aurora low-Earth-orbit satellites that will anchor a planned $5 billion direct-to-device (D2D) broadband network. The order, announced 1 August, marks the formal launch of the project, which aims to provide full 5G connectivity capable of streaming services such as Netflix in remote areas. EchoStar expects the initial satellites to be delivered in 2028, with commercial service projected to begin in 2029. Management said the system will offer global S-band coverage and position Boost Mobile, EchoStar’s wireless unit, as a competitor to emerging satellite-cellular offerings from firms such as SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile. Investors reacted warily to the capital-intensive plan; EchoStar shares fell about 17% after the announcement amid lingering questions over how the heavily leveraged company will finance the remaining phases. The network comes as regulators continue to review EchoStar’s spectrum licenses, a process that analysts warn could further complicate the company’s balance-sheet pressures.