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Article: New DBS satellites? (capital currents).
- Article from:
- CED
- Article date:
- July 1, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Advantage Business Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Did you think that DBS subscribers are forever doomed to a choice between EchoStar and DirecTV? Or to no choice at all, if they merge? If so, you've forgotten about the plan for DBS orbital slots, and the possibility of changing that plan.
Back in 1983, the Western Hemisphere countries met and divided up the satellite orbital arc at 12.2 to 12.7 GHz for Direct Broadcast Satellite use. The United States got orbital slots at 61.5, 101, 110, 119, 148, 157, 166 and 175 degrees. Canada, Mexico and other countries got other orbital slots. Each orbital slot supports 32 transponders of 24 MHz each.
The three slots at 101, 110 and 119 degrees are the most ...