Dish Network 2010 Annual Report Download - page 16

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The FCC has licensed us to operate a total of 82 DBS frequencies at the following orbital locations:
• 21 DBS frequencies at the 119 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to CONUS;
• 29 DBS frequencies at the 110 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to CONUS;
and
• 32 DBS frequencies at the 148 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to the
Western United States.
We currently do not have any satellites positioned at the 148 degree orbital location as a result of the retirement of
EchoStar V. While we have requested the necessary approval from the FCC for the continued use of this orbital
location, there can be no assurance that the FCC will determine that our proposed future use of this orbital location
complies fully with all licensing requirements.
In addition, we currently lease or have entered into agreements to lease capacity on satellites using the following
spectrum at the following orbital locations:
• 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 continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii;
• 32 DBS frequencies at the 129 degree orbital location, which is a Canadian DBS slot that is
capable of providing service to most of the United States;
• 32 DBS frequencies at the 61.5 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to most of the
United States;
• 24 DBS frequencies at the 77 degree orbital location, which is a Mexican DBS slot that is capable
of providing service to most of the United States and Mexico; and
• 32 DBS frequencies at the 72.7 degree orbital location, which is a Canadian DBS slot that is
capable of providing service to the United States. We and EchoStar are currently receiving service
on 23 of these DBS transponders and will receive service on the remaining nine DBS transponders
over a phase-in period that will be completed in 2012.
We also have month-to-month FSS capacity available from EchoStar on satellites located at the 105 and 121 degree
orbital locations.
700 MHz Spectrum. In 2008, we paid $712 million to acquire certain 700 MHz wireless licenses, which were
granted to us by the FCC in February 2009. To commercialize these licenses and satisfy FCC build-out
requirements, we will be required to make significant additional investments or partner with others. Depending on
the nature and scope of such commercialization and build-out, any such investment or partnership could vary
significantly. Part or all of our licenses may be terminated for failure to satisfy FCC build-out requirements. We are
currently performing a market test to evaluate different technologies and consumer acceptance.
Other Wireless Spectrum. In 2010, we purchased all of South.com L.L.C., which is an entity that holds
Multichannel Video Distribution & Data Service (“MVDDS”) licenses in 37 markets in the United States.
Duration of our DBS Satellite Licenses. Generally speaking, all of our satellite licenses are subject to expiration
unless renewed by the FCC. The term of each of our DBS licenses is ten years. Our licenses are currently set to
expire at various times. In addition, our special temporary authorization is granted for a period of only 180 days or
less, subject again to possible renewal by the FCC. Generally, our FCC licenses and special temporary authorization
have been renewed by the FCC on a routine basis but, there can be no assurance that the FCC will continue to do so.
Opposition and other Risks to our Licenses. Several third parties have opposed, and we expect them to continue to
oppose, some of our FCC satellite authorizations and pending requests to the FCC for extensions, modifications,
waivers and approvals of our licenses. In addition, we may not have fully complied with all of the FCC reporting,
filing and other requirements in connection with our satellite authorizations. Consequently, it is possible the FCC
could revoke, terminate, condition or decline to extend or renew certain of our authorizations or licenses.