The summer of 2006 marked the start of a new era for EchoStar in Europe. EchoStar's three European offices consisting of 270 employees in the Netherlands, Spain and the UK joined together into one organization by adopting the same trade name - EchoStar Europe.

By combining EchoStar's engineering expertise in Europe and operating under the same trade name, EchoStar Europe is well positioned to create and develop DISH Network technology and extend its use around the world.

EchoStar International Corporation (EIC) started in a rented office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1988. The following year, it moved to its present location in Almelo, the Netherlands, and became a key center for distributing TV satellite receivers throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. As technology developed, EIC's engineering department grew and gained invaluable experience in satellite television design and development.

In 1994, the Spanish office was established in Madrid in order to be closer to the Iberian and North African market that was booming in those years. Following sale of more than 600,000 receivers to the local Spanish TV platform Via Digital in 1997-98, an after-sales service department was established in Madrid.

In 1999, EchoStar Technologies Corporation decided to expand its hardware and software development groups, and looked for a team of engineers that would resemble the spirit of EchoStar in terms of continuously working to create low cost, innovative products and designs. Eldon Technology Limited, a very reputable electronics design house located in West Yorkshire, UK that had been at the forefront of television development since 1988, was an ideal fit. EchoStar acquired Eldon in 1999, and since then the office has become an essential field engineering office of the EchoStar family.