DISH Works at FCC for Additional Capacity

[Gregg Lengling]

EchoStar has applications pending at the Federal Communications Commission asking for access to additional satellite orbital locations, and the November issue of The BRIDGE has details concerning the company's plans to expand its space-based resources.

The No. 2 DBS operator has three applications pending before the FCC for use of three other DBS orbital locations: at 86.5 degrees, 96.5 degrees and 123.5 degrees. In its applications, EchoStar says it would use the additional capacity gained at the locations for delivery of spectrum intensive services such as high-def, more local channels and interactive TV.

EchoStar's DISH Network recently gained additional satellite capacity from the Federal Communications Commission, and is working with SES Americom for use of its satellites.

At DirecTV, the satellite TV company turned heads when it announced plans to use Ka-Band satellites to deliver up to 500 local high-def channels beginning next year and an additional 1,000 local HD stations sometime in 2007. Also, VOOM has applications at the FCC asking for access to additional orbital locations, both in Ku-Band and Ka-Band frequencies.

For more on satellite capacity issues, and for information on The BRIDGE, visit: http://www.mbc-thebridge.com.