EchoStar has filed an application with the FCC to construct, launch and operate Ka-band satellites at 81 degrees and 123 degrees West Longitude (WL). The proposed satellites will have 64 active transponders using 8 115-MHz channels across 1,000 MHz of the Ka-band spectrum. The transponders use multiple contiguous spot beams to provide broadband two-way data services to small users terminals located across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Another proposed Ka-band satellite at 121 degrees WL will use 4 115-MHz channels and spot beams to provide service to these areas plus Alaska and Hawaii.
EchoStar also filed two applications for satellites to provide new direct-to-home and other one-way services in the Ku-band. One application is for a satellite at 109 degrees WL with 32 27-MHz transponders and full frequency reuse of the 500 MHz of downlink spectrum. Coverage would reach all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Island and other parts of Central America and Caribbean, including Mexico and Canada. The second application is for a satellite at 101 degrees WL.
EchoStar is requesting permission to construct, launch and operate two hybrid Ku-band/Ka-band satellites at 105 degrees and 113 degrees WL. The Ku-band portion will provide direct-to-home and other fixed satellite services. On Ka-band, the satellite will have 56 active transponders using 4 115-MHz channels along with multiple contiguous spot beams for uplink and downlink across North America. It will provide broadband data services.
Full technical details on these applications, including the frequencies requested and transponder configuration, may be found in the FCC Satellite Policy Branch Information Report SAT-00165.
