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Elon Musk’s Starlink and Dish Network are currently banging their heads at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over the latter’s attempt to block a critical designation SpaceX needs to secure broadband funding from the FCC. Dish filed a petition against Starlink in late February, and a few days ago SpaceX released its response.
The dispute between the two companies is linked to a number of FCC proceedings, including a petition from Starlink seeking designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Company (ETC) under the Communications Act. This designation is required in certain states where SpaceX has secured funding to deploy its satellite Internet to 642,925 underserved homes and businesses in 35 states. Dish Network, for its part, has asked the FCC to deny the private space company necessary status in the 12 GHz band.
What’s interesting is that Dish is a satellite TV provider, which means it’s not even a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink service. Dish is in the process of building a 5G mobile broadband network that could potentially use the 12 GHz band spectrum the company currently uses for its satellite TV services. So, Dish notes that if SpaceX also uses frequencies of 12 GHz, Starlink could cause interference.
“Dish does not oppose SpaceX’s ETC status because of its access to other frequency bands. But, as the requested ETC designation is based on the 12 GHz band, it should be refused or deferred, pending resolution of the DBS interference issues arising in this band from SpaceX’s proposed change to its satellite system. and questions of sharing. introduced in the 12 GHz regulation recently launched by the Commission, ”Dish wrote.
SpaceX’s response to Dish’s request to the FCC has been equally clear, noting that the satellite TV provider’s opposition is unfounded. The company led by Elon Musk noted that Dish’s efforts would only delay what really matters most to Starlink – providing high-speed internet access to those who need it most.
“Dish’s opposition ignores and conflicts with the Commission’s clear decision to allow Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (‘RDOF”) Phase I auction bidders to rely on spectrum in Band 12, 2-12.7 GHz (“12 GHz band”) to meet their RDOF obligations. This seemingly bogus filing is just the latest example of DISH’s misuse of Commission resources in its misguided effort to expropriate the 12 GHz band. The Commission should dismiss Dish’s opposition as a baseless attempt to obstruct the ETC and RDOF processes, the outcome of which would only serve to delay what matters most – connecting unserved Americans, ”SpaceX noted.
The private space company also noted that Dish’s arguments reveal an objective to obstruct and hamper a competitor, especially since the FCC had already decided to let ISPs use the 12 GHz band for broadband connections. subsidized. “DISH’s argument now that its opposition to the change somehow makes these Commission decisions meaningless is absurd,” SpaceX wrote.
Read Dish’s FCC filing against Starlink below.
(as filed) DISH Opposition to SpaceX ETC Designation by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
SpaceX’s response to Dish’s FCC request can be found below.
Response to DISH Opposition to ETC (03! 01! 2021) by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
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