Houston - Oct. 3, 2026 — U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez ordered a full pause in the contentious DISH Wireless L.L.C. Chapter 11 case, directing all parties to halt litigation activity while they attempt to agree on a mediator by October 6 at noon. If no consensus is reached, Lopez said he will convene a hearing on October 7 and select a mediator himself.
The directive came during a virtual status conference Friday, where Lopez urged stakeholders to "figure it out amongst yourselves" and warned he would intervene only if necessary. "I really don't want to get involved, but I will if I have to," he said.
The judge also made clear that Comcast and Cablevision, two major fiber‑network creditors, must participate in the mediation alongside the tower companies and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. Lopez said the mediator should determine "capacity and staging," signaling broad participation in any settlement process.
The pause freezes all active disputes, including objections to billions of dollars in tower‑lease rejection claims, challenges to the intercompany loan, and pending motions involving the committee's request for standing and the proposed retention of White & Case as debtor's counsel. Lopez said he does not expect a formal mediation report, adding that he trusts the parties to select a "serious, credible" mediator.
The case has been strained by warnings of administrative insolvency, with parties reporting that DISH Wireless has roughly $70 million in cash against more than $50 million in accrued professional fees. The Special Committee previously cautioned that absent a negotiated resolution or insider financing, the case may need to convert to Chapter 7.
Stakeholders are expected to continue negotiations and if a mediator is not agreed upon by October 6th at noon, Lopez will schedule to take up the issue on October 7.