Neither EchoStar nor Cablevision has provided insight into separa...
Neither EchoStar nor Cablevision has provided insight into separate decisions to participate in the multichannel video distribution & data service (MVDDS) auction at the FCC. The auction, which closed round 46 at our deadline, is winding down, with only…
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2 new bids in the last round for more than $136 million in gross revenue to the FCC. EchoStar’s move involves its 49% stake in Denver-based South.com, which has placed bids totaling more than $39 million for licenses in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Detroit and Washington. EchoStar officials weren’t available for comment Mon., but the company has long expressed a desire to deliver a broadband service. It made earlier failed investments in Starband, which recently emerged from bankruptcy protection, and WildBlue, which is expected to introduce a Ka-band service this year. EchoStar continues to maintain a small investment in WildBlue, which also has NRTC backing. EchoStar CEO Charles Ergen said at CES earlier this month that EchoStar had been conducting broadband tests since Aug. from a satellite at 121 degrees W. Meanwhile, a Cablevision spokeswoman declined comment on when Voom might introduce an MVDDS service. Cablevision’s Voom HDTV service emerged as the top bidder for MVDDS licenses through its 49% ownership of DTV Norwich. DTV Norwich is the leading bidder in 48 major media markets, including Chicago, L.A., N.Y.C., Philadelphia and San Francisco. It has placed bids of more than $89 million, and a Cablevision spokeswoman said Voom would “continue to explore additional services.” Voom, which began its service last fall with sales of hardware through Sears, is expected to expand to 38 HD channels by late Feb.