Steve Mehs
05-19-03, 04:44 AM
Officials with the state of Hawaii continued to press issues they have with DirecTV's service to the islands, outlining old and new concerns in reply comments recently sent to the Federal Communications Commission.
In its latest FCC filing, Hawaii officials said DirecTV's talk about improving service to the state is "rhetoric." They took issue with the suggestion that the company "might" strengthen its service to the state with a new satellite, "apparently implying that DirecTV retains discretion regarding whether it will use DirecTV 7S to improve its service to the state," their filing said.
The state also criticized claims from DirecTV that it will adjust its programming lineup for Hawaii only after resolution of its pending litigation with the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative. "DirecTV's litigation against NRTC has continued for nearly four years, however, and could continue with appeals for many more years to come," the state filing said.
The litigation centers on NRTC's long-standing agreement with DirecTV and how it relates to the use of satellites and core programming delivered by DirecTV's spacecraft. In the litigation, NRTC has maintained that it has rights to certain core programming delivered by key satellites, and DirecTV stated that has an impact on its Hawaii programming offerings.
In its reply comments, state officials asked the FCC to require DirecTV to improve its service, programming offerings and equipment availability to Hawaii residents, and pursue administrative actions against the company.
As of late Friday, DirecTV had no additional comments at the FCC on the Hawaii matter.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)
In its latest FCC filing, Hawaii officials said DirecTV's talk about improving service to the state is "rhetoric." They took issue with the suggestion that the company "might" strengthen its service to the state with a new satellite, "apparently implying that DirecTV retains discretion regarding whether it will use DirecTV 7S to improve its service to the state," their filing said.
The state also criticized claims from DirecTV that it will adjust its programming lineup for Hawaii only after resolution of its pending litigation with the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative. "DirecTV's litigation against NRTC has continued for nearly four years, however, and could continue with appeals for many more years to come," the state filing said.
The litigation centers on NRTC's long-standing agreement with DirecTV and how it relates to the use of satellites and core programming delivered by DirecTV's spacecraft. In the litigation, NRTC has maintained that it has rights to certain core programming delivered by key satellites, and DirecTV stated that has an impact on its Hawaii programming offerings.
In its reply comments, state officials asked the FCC to require DirecTV to improve its service, programming offerings and equipment availability to Hawaii residents, and pursue administrative actions against the company.
As of late Friday, DirecTV had no additional comments at the FCC on the Hawaii matter.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)