DBS Auction Nullified [Archive]

Nick

12-23-05, 04:45 AM

SKYREPORT: FCC Voids 2004 DBS Auction

In an order released Thursday, the Federal Communications
Commission nullified an auction for DBS spectrum held in 2004,
a move tied to a challenge Northpoint Technology raised in
court concerning the spectrum allocation.

In June, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., found
in favor of Northpoint in determining the DBS spectrum auction
was unauthorized. Northpoint had for years worked to gain
access to DBS spectrum for a planned terrestrial service that
would share the frequencies with DBS services. Satellite TV
interests vigorously fought the spectrum-sharing proposal,
fretting about interference to small dish services.

The two auction winners, EchoStar and Rainbow DBS, won three
DBS licenses in the 2004 auction. Rainbow DBS won a license
to operate three channels at the 175-degree orbital location
and another to operate 32 channels at 166 degrees. EchoStar
won a license to operate on 29 channels at the 157-degree
orbital location.

Also, due to the court challenge, the FCC froze all applications
for new DBS authorizations to use the 12.2-12.7 GHz band
and associated feeder links in the 17.3- 17.8 GHz band
pending further consideration of its rules. The freeze is
limited to applications for licenses for new space stations or
requests for market access by foreign-licensed space
stations, and does not apply to applications for replacement
satellites, modifications to existing satellite licenses, or
requests for special temporary authority.

As of press time, there was no comment from EchoStar.

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