Did we forget EchoStar 9? More Locals??

[DDRio]

Directv will add like 50 markets with the launch of Directv-7S. Now, EchoStar 9(which is supposedly to be launching in the coming months) has 32 Ku Transponders(for DTH service) & 2 Ka Transponders. Loral will control only the C-band transponders. We all know that EchoStar will use the Ka band payload for testing. But what about the other 32 Ku band transponders? I know that those transponders(11.7 - 12.2 GHz) will require a slightly larger antenna and of course a different LNBF.

My point is, with these 32 transponders EchoStar could launch more local cities to get to 100 like Directv. After all, EchoStar will need to provide a new dish, lnbf and switch(a la 129W service for Philadelphia customers) to every new subscriber for the local channels in those cities. But the best part is... Directv needs to do the same because the majority of its customer have their dishes pointing to 101 W. :lol: :lol:

I wonder if Loral now owns those Ku band transponders because I haven't heard anything from E* about a new service there.

[jerryez]

I think that this sat was never built. Not yet anyway.

[JohnH]

EchoStar 9/Telstar 13 is pretty much complete. That is the only way EchoStar could convince the FCC to reinstate the Ka Band license. It is currently listed as launching sometime between now and the end of March.

[jerryez]

What is Ka band. Will it have spots. Is there a spot beam map somewhere.

[Mike123abc]

The Ka band is a slice of spectrum at higher frequencies than Ku. Currently Dish has no plans for direct to home DBS service from the 3 Ka band slots they currently control. They could at a later date decide to do it, but since it is untested (more weather problems because higher frequencies), and would require all new equipment for current subscribers, it will be a while before they even think about DBS on Ka.

[Jacob S]

All the cost in upgrading everything over, it would almost be like starting from scratch, a new company. Is rl/dbs rainbow going to use Ka ?

[jerryez]

Spraceflight Now does not have the launch listed.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

Where is it going to be located.

[JohnH]

121w

The actual launch date is not set, but the last info placed it this year.

http://www.lyngsat.com/launches/2003.shtml

[Mike123abc]

Dish has like two Ka band transponders on E9. One can only hope that the transponder tests goes well. If they can get good throughput and avoid rainfade, maybe they will eventually be able to lauch DBS on the Ka band. They would have to in essance offer a new service to allow them to pass on the cost of the new equipment to customers. Maybe they could put 50 HDTV channels together on Ka Band and have ATHD50.