Dish Network 2008 Annual Report Download - page 20

10
FCC Regulation under the Communications Act
FCC Jurisdiction over our Operations. The Communications Act gives the FCC broad authority to regulate the
operations of satellite companies. Specifically, the Communications Act gives the FCC regulatory jurisdiction over
the following areas relating to communications satellite operations:
x the assignment of satellite radio frequencies and orbital locations;
x licensing of satellites, earth stations, the granting of related authorizations, and evaluation of the fitness
of a company to be a licensee;
x approval for the relocation of satellites to different orbital locations or the replacement of an existing
satellite with a new satellite;
x ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of such assignments and authorizations, including
required timetables for construction and operation of satellites and other due diligence requirements;
x avoiding interference with other radio frequency emitters; and
x ensuring compliance with other applicable provisions of the Communications Act and FCC rules and
regulations governing the operations of satellite communications providers and multi-channel video
distributors.
In order to obtain FCC satellite licenses and authorizations, satellite operators must satisfy strict legal, technical and
financial qualification requirements. Once issued, these licenses and authorizations are subject to a number of
conditions including, among other things, satisfaction of ongoing due diligence obligations, construction milestones,
and various reporting requirements.
Overview of Our Satellites and FCC Authorizations. Our satellites are located in orbital positions, or slots, that are
designated by their western longitude. An orbital position describes both a physical location and an assignment of
spectrum in the applicable frequency band. Each DBS orbital position has 500 MHz of available Ku-band spectrum
that is divided into 32 frequency channels. Through digital compression technology, we can currently transmit
between nine and 13 standard definition digital video channels per DBS frequency channel. Several of our satellites
also include spot-beam technology which enables us to increase the number of markets where we provide local
channels, but reduces the number of video channels that could otherwise be offered across the entire United States.
The FCC has licensed us to operate a total of 82 DBS frequencies at the following orbital locations:
x 21 DBS frequencies at the 119 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to CONUS;
x 29 DBS frequencies at the 110 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to CONUS;
and
x 32 DBS frequencies at the 148 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to the Western
United States.
In addition, we currently lease or have entered into agreements to lease capacity on satellites using the following
spectrum at the following orbital locations:
x 500 MHz of Ku-band FSS spectrum that is divided into 32 frequency channels (each of which is
capable of transmitting between five and eight standard definition digital video channels) at the
118.7 degree orbital location, which is a Canadian FSS slot that is capable of providing service to
the United States, Alaska and Hawaii;
x 32 DBS frequencies at the 129 degree orbital location, which a Canadian DBS slot that is capable
of providing service to most of the United States;
x 32 DBS frequencies at the 61.5 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to most of the
United States;