Lots of BSS Filings for E* and D* at FCC

[mdonnelly]

The FCC website has a lot of filings for BSS slots from Dish and Direct. I didn't look really closely to see if they are filing for some of the same slots. I just thought is was interesting that both are filing for the slots on the same day.

See here.

 

[RandallA]

One of them is to move the satellite at 77W to 78W. This move will allow them to use this satellite for services to CONUS and Puerto Rico. This is for satellite Echostar EX-3.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-141545

This second one is for Echostar EX-1. They request to move this satellite to 110.4W.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-141546

The third one is for Echostar EX-2. They request to move this satellite to 106W.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-141547

The fourth one is for Echostar EX-5. They request to move this satellite to 62.15W. "The ECHOSTAR EX-5 satellite will operate at the 62.15° W.L. orbital location and will provide BSS services primarily to CONUS and Puerto Rico."

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-141548

and the last one is for Echostar EX-4. They request to move this satellite to 76W. "The orbital location selected for the ECHOSTAR EX-4 satellite is 76° W."

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-141549

Very nice finding. Notice that all of these satellites are for Echostar Satellite Operating Corporation not for Dish Network.

 

[MikeD-C05]

Which means that the Echostar corportation will have a lot of satellite space to start offering service to new customers instead of DISH which they will most likely sell off to ATT. I suspect all along that CHarlie is planning to do this and start a new mpeg 4version of his service for new subs to compete against DISH when they sell it off to ATT or some other company. He avoids the costs of upgrading of all mpeg 2 subs to mpeg4 receivers and dishes and he can still charge the new company that takes DISH off his hands for the cost of the upgrades receivers and dishes. So the new mpeg 4 service will most likely be the one I will go with if that is CHarlie's plans. Either way 2008 will be a very eventful year.

 

[mdonnelly]

Filing for a satellite slot is a far cry from launching a service. What's the current pipeline from satellite conception to operation - 36+ months? FCC approval for the slots - 6 months? Corporate infrastructure development - ?

I don't expect to see these satellites in use by anyone for years. But it does show the intent to expand, and that's a good thing.

 

[mike123abc]

Echostar SS owns 61.5 77 and 86.5 DBS slots. They are leasing E3 and E12 to Dish at this time. Essentially they could start service from these 3 slots and cover the lower 48.

 

[rocatman]

These filings are for the "reverse DBS" slots. None of the current Dish satellites can provide signal from them. The first could be E-14 that would not be ready for launch until probably well into 2009 at the earliest.