DISH Wins OK for Use of Telesat Canada Satellite

[JohnH]

DISH Wins OK for Use of Telesat Canada Satellite (http://www.skyreport.com/view.cfm?ReleaseID=1817#Story1)

[JohnH]

rocatman, any activity on the AMC-16 temporary move to 118.7?

[Nick]

(Posting text from SkyReport)

This week, EchoStar won Federal Communications Commission
approval to use a Telesat Canada satellite for delivery of
services to customers in the United States.

Specifically, the FCC's International Bureau granted
EchoStar's request for a blanket authorization allowing
customers to receive programming via Ku-Band capacity on
Telesat's Anik F3 spacecraft, which will be located at 118
degrees. The Telesat orbital slot is near EchoStar's satellites
at 119 degrees. The DBS company also operates satellites at
110 degrees.

When approving the request, the bureau said use of the Telesat
satellite will "improve the choice of service to consumers" in
the U.S. pay-TV market. The FCC, in its order, said EchoStar
plans to use the Anik F3 capacity to augment the spectrum it
uses for its services, including expanded local-into-local,
international, high def and other programming.

The FCC said Telesat plans to deploy Anik F3 in the second
half of next year. In February 2004, Telesat's board of
directors approved the satellite use deal with EchoStar.

www.SkyReport.com - used with permission

[JohnH]

The actual slot is 118.7 degrees west making it closer to 119. Probably that 119K we saw floating around the signal test screens is associated with this.

[rocatman]

I did a search on the FCC site for both Echostar and SES Americom. There has been no FCC activity on the move of AMC-16 to 118.7 W. My feeling has been that this move was a backup plan just in case a problem arose with E-10 in order to meet the SHREVA single dish for all locals in a market requirement. The key to FCC approval is whether SES Americom is allowed to hold the 85 W Ku band slot. I don't think SES Americom would agree to giving up that slot but they do seem to have quite a few licensed slots.

[JohnH]

AMC-2 is holding the 85w slot and has had activity there for at least a month.

[rocatman]

AMC-2 is holding the 85w slot and has had activity there for at least a month.

My mistake. The Ka band is what is at risk for SES Americom at 85 W and I don't think the value on Ka band licenses is that great. Perhaps if the FCC approves the AMC-16 move and after Anik F3 is launched maybe Dish will want to use AMC-16 temporarily at 109 W until they can build and launch an extended Ku band satellite. IIRC the AMC-6 satellite has extended Ku band capability so maybe AMC-16 does as well.

[JohnH]

I have been checking the AMC-6 extended Ku Band, but have found nothing here in PA. There is a possibility that it might not register here.

[rocatman]

I found the FCC approval although it is a Public Notice that will come out on December 28th. It does not have the details but states that the AMC-16 authorization has been defered. Here is the FCC website link:

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchPN?report_key=473446

[JohnH]

Thanks, rocatman. I guess they are waiting on a decision in the SES move request.

[S.C. Am]

Perhaps if the FCC approves the AMC-16 move and after Anik F3 is launched maybe Dish will want to use AMC-16 temporarily at 109 W until they can build and launch an extended Ku band satellite.

The 109.2 C/ku slot is an unassigned Canadian slot. It will not be licenced to Telesat Canada as Canadian broadcasters have complained long and loud to Industry Canada about Telesat business practices in Canada - especially Telesat's failure to meet licencing timelines on every Anik F series satellite ever launched.