DirecTV said EchoStar’s proposed operations at 77 degrees W won’t...
DirecTV said EchoStar’s proposed operations at 77 degrees W won’t trouble its Canadian-authorized satellite at 72.5 degrees W -- just 4.5 degrees away, instead of the traditional 9 degrees -- because neither DBS satellite can operate simultaneously on all…
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32 channels. Also, EchoStar 4’s beam would be focused on Mexico, not the U.S., DirecTV said. DirecTV staunchly opposes ’tweener orbital spacing; however, given the “unique circumstances,” the firm said, it “may be possible to reach a short-term accommodation within the coverage and frequency constraints of these 2 particular satellites.” If a sharing agreement can be reached, DirecTV said, it wouldn’t object to EchoStar’s use of 77 degrees W. But DirecTV said an agreement on 77 degrees W shouldn’t be interpreted as resolving DirecTV’s “more general long-term concerns underlying the issue of DBS slots separated by only 4.5 degrees.” According to a 2004 SEC filing, 38 of 44 transponders onboard EchoStar 4 have failed, leaving 6 useful. According to a 2005 SEC filing, DirecTV operates DirecTV 5 at 72.5 degrees using 16 frequencies.