NAB Wants FCC to Ask DBS ‘Probing Questions’ on Capacity
Maintaining that direct broadcast satellite operators can space capacity to offer local-into-local HD service in all 210 TV markets, NAB demanded the FCC ask “probing questions” on “satellite design and capacity” that’s not readily available, said Jane Mago, NAB general counsel. “Past predictions of capacity constraints by the carriers have proven inaccurate,” Mago said.
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The NAB is on “a fishing expedition,” a Dish spokeswoman told us. The group gave the agency with 13 questions it says the FCC could put in a public notice or notice of inquiry. The NAB believes the FCC has a list of satellite frequencies licensed to DirecTV and Dish Networks, but thinks DBS carriers “need to supplement the list” with frequencies that other countries license and frequencies licensed to another entity but used by DBS carriers. The NAB also posed questions about satellite design and development.
“All DBS FCC licenses, local markets served, compression technology standards, etc., are publicly available. NAB can run its own calculation,” the Dish spokeswoman said. “The 30 million U.S. households relying on DBS should not suffer just because NAB has not done its homework.”
Commissioners have been asked to vote this month on an order that would require DirecTV and EchoStar to distribute all high-definition signals of broadcasters as of Feb. 18, 2009, in markets where they carry TV signals by satellite, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told reporters last week during a press conference (CD March 5 p1). The DBS carriers have suggested a four-year phased implementation in which they would offer HD in 15 percent of markets served in 2010, 30 percent in 2011, 60 percent in 2012 and all markets by 2013 (CD Feb 20 p15).
The Satellite Industry Association endorses the phased approach, it said last week. “In order to satisfy HD must carry requirements, satellite operators must use and have access to additional spectrum resources and construct new spacecraft,” said SIA President Patricia Cooper.