Dish Network 2013 Annual Report Download - page 18

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SATELLITES
DBS Satellites. Most of our programming is currently delivered using DBS satellites. We continue to explore
opportunities to expand our available satellite capacity through the use of other available spectrum. Increasing our
available spectrum is particularly important as more bandwidth intensive HD programming is produced and to address
new video and data applications consumers may desire in the future. We currently utilize satellites in geostationary
orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator detailed in the table below.
Degree Estimated
Launch Orbital Useful Life
Satellites Date Location (Years)
Owned:
EchoStar I (1)(5)............................. December 1995 77 12
EchoStar VII (2)(5)......................... February 2002 119 15
EchoStar X (2)(5)........................... February 2006 110 15
EchoStar XI (2)(5).......................... July 2008 110 15
EchoStar XIV (5)............................ March 2010 119 15
EchoStar XV................................... July 2010 45 15
Leased from EchoStar:
EchoStar VIII (1)(3)(4)................... August 2002 77 NA
EchoStar IX (1)(3).......................... August 2003 121 NA
EchoStar XII (1)(4)......................... July 2003 61.5 NA
Nimiq 5 (1)(3)................................. September 2009 72.7 NA
EchoStar XVI (1)............................ November 2012 61.5 NA
QuetzSat-1 (1)(3)............................ September 2011 77 NA
Leased from Other Third Party:
Anik F3........................................... April 2007 118.7 NA
Ciel II.............................................. December 2008 129 NA
Under Construction:
EchoStar XVIII............................... 2015 110 15
(1) See Note 20 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K for further discussion of our Related Party Transactions with EchoStar.
(2) During the fourth quarter 2012, the estimated useful life of these satellites was extended from 12 years to
15 years on a prospective basis based on management’s assessment of, among other things, these satellites’
useful lives, technological obsolescence risk, estimated remaining fuel life and estimated useful lives of our
other DBS satellites. This increase in the estimated useful life of these satellites had an immaterial effect
on our results of operations.
(3) We lease a portion of the capacity on these satellites.
(4) We generally have the option to renew each lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective
satellite’s useful life.
(5) On February 20, 2014, we entered into agreements with EchoStar pursuant to which, among other things, we
will transfer these satellites to EchoStar and lease back certain satellite capacity on these satellites. See below
for further discussion.
Recent Developments
Recent developments with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.