As of the June 30, 2008 annual report to the FCC: SS/Loral and Spectrum Five... "Both parties are progressing towards Spectrum Five's next milestone, completion of critical design review." “Critical design review” means they are still negotiating/designing the specifications for the satellite.
So, there are currently no solid specs for the Spectrum Five satellites for anyone to coordinate with. That suggests that EchoStar can’t run a MSPACE analysis (used to coordinating satellites at the ITU). That EchoStar built a more powerful satellite that works with 9 degree spacing would be ok until Spectrum Five launches. Even then, EchoStar 11 could then be moved to another location or operated in the 2 tube mode instead of 3 tube mode. Even the 2 tube mode is more power than EchoStar 8 but, they may be able to increase attenuation in the transponders to back-off the downlink power.
From start of construction to launch +IOT will take Spectrum Five at least 2 years (likely more). They still need funding for the satellite, launch, earth station, video compression / encryption equipment, customer equipment, programming and customer service.
Questions for Spectrum Five: Can they offer a programming selection comparable to cable, D* or E* or something more desirable? Will customers accept the larger dish (probably the max of 1m diameter)? Will the service be more susceptible to rain fade? Will capacity be less due to the need for higher FEC? Can they offer any local markets and what competitive disadvantage is there if they don’t? Can they find quality installers? Can they find quality sales outlets?
Remember what killed VOOM (the Rainbow 1 service before they sold to Dish)? It had more to do with sales outlets and installers! Sure VOOM was ahead of the curve on the roll out of HD TV. The problem was that Sears didn’t know how to sell VOOM and kept directing customers to D* or E*. Then, there were few installers and communications between sales and installers was so bad that customers were going back to Sears, returning equipment and buying D* or E*. I tried buying a VOOM system at four different Sears and was amazed at the problems and excuses Sears made so I left in frustration. I forwarded my buying experience to VOOM and they knew there were fighting Sears employees.
There is a hidden problem that I have only heard mentioned once. There are many sub standard multi satellite dishes currently installed with side-lobe profiles that are so bad they will get more interference from a 4.5 degree satellite. Who will pay to replace those dishes?
EchoStar may be betting that Spectrum Five won't launch. So, turn up the power on E*11!