Elon Musk’s Starlink and Dish Network is currently poking its head out at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over the latter’s attempt to block an essential designation that SpaceX needs to get FCC broadband funding. Dish filed a petition against Starlink in late February, and a few days ago SpaceX issued its response.
The dispute between the two companies relates to a number of FCC proceedings, including a petition from Starlink requesting the designation as a suitable telecommunications carrier (ETC) under the Communications Act. This designation is needed in some states where SpaceX has received funding to deploy its satellite Internet to 642,925 homes and businesses in 35 countries under service. Dish Network, in turn, asked the FCC to deny the private space firm the 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 building a 5G mobile broadband network that will eventually be able to use the spectrum of the 12 GHz band that the company currently uses for its satellite TV services. Thus, Dish notes that if SpaceX also uses 12 GHz frequencies, Starlink may cause interference.
“Dish does not object to ETC status for SpaceX, based on access to other frequency bands. However, to the extent that the requested ETC designation is based on the 12 GHz band, it should be denied or postponed, pending the resolution of the DBS interference arising in the band from SpaceX’s proposed modification of its satellite system, and the sub-questions presented in the Commission’s recently initiated 12 GHz rules, ”Dish wrote.
SpaceX’s response to Dish’s request to the FCC was equally sharp, noting that the opposition to satellite TV is without merit. The firm, led by Elon Musk, noted that Dish’s efforts would only lead to the postponement of what really matters to Starlink, which provides high-speed Internet access to those who need it most.
Dish’s Opposition ignores and argues with the Commission’s clear decision to allow Phase I auction of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) to run on the 12.2-12.7 GHz spectrum trust (“12 GHz band”) to meet their RDOF obligations. This complicated filing is only the latest example of DISH’s misuse of commission resources in its misguided attempt to expropriate the 12 GHz band. “The Commission must reject Dish’s opposition as an unsubstantiated attempt to obstruct the ETC and RDOF processes, the result of which would only help to delay the main issue by committing unserviced Americans,” SpaceX noted.
The private space company also noted that Dish’s arguments set a goal of hindering and hindering a competitor, especially since the FCC has already decided to allow ISPs to use the 12 GHz band for subsidized broadband connections. “DISH’s argument that its opposition to the amendment in any way makes the commission’s decisions meaningless is absurd,” SpaceX wrote.
Read below Dish’s FCC filing against Starlink.
(as submitted) DISK Opposition to SpaceX ETC designation by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
SpaceX’s response to Dish’s FCC request can be obtained below.
Reply to DISH Opposition to ETC (03! 01! 2021) by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
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