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Cable Technology Feature Article

November 26, 2012

FCC Proposal Could Hamper Dish Network's Move to Cellular Services

By Oliver VanDervoort, Contributing Writer


Dish Network is one of the two biggest satellite television providers in the world, but there are still plenty of ups and down for the corporation. Most recently, Dish announce that the 3rd quarter of 2012 resulted in a net loss. Despite that report, there were also bits of good news. The company is apparently healthy enough that they have started a fresh round of hiring in the Denver area just last month. Among the news of the ups and downs for the company, Dish said that its plans to add mobile phones to its service offering has been hampered by a proposal from the FCC (News - Alert) that would limit the amount of power they could use.

The satellite company is looking for FCC approval in order to launch their cellular phone service that they believe would be a direct competitor to two of the biggest cellular providers in the United States. The FCC commissioner, Julius Genachowski (News - Alert) offered up a new proposal late last week that would work to regulate the company’s airwaves use. Other provisions would help promote competition, investment and innovation according to the FCC.

Dish doesn’t really see it that way. In a statement they issued shortly after the proposal, the satellite provider said that the new proposal, “could cripple our ability to enter the business. The good news is that the proposed order is not final.” The company plans to ask the five member panel to amend the plan so that it will not be as harmful to their business practices. 

The main problem, both for the FCC and Dish Network is that Internet airwaves are being used at levels that make it hard to find available airwaves these days. A company entering the market fresh is something the FCC would probably rather avoid. Despite not working directly to deny Dish’s move into the market, the FCC is having a hard time coming up with workable solutions to the airwaves drain.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.




Edited by Brooke Neuman


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