Attachment Congressional Letter

This document pretains to SES-LIC-20020109-00023 for License on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLIC2002010900023_249746

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March l&ZOO2 use Offrce Building ou for your recent letter concerning the request by Digital Broadband orp. (“DBAC”) to utilize an advanced hybrid satellite network to provide high- digital data and video services to consumers in the United States. Specifically, operate earth stations with Canadian-licensed Direct Broadcast Satellite and Fixed-Satellite Service satellites (as well as using terrestrial Local Multipoint re available) to deliver its proposed service. Your letter was consideration as part of this proceeding. ‘s application seeking authority to operate its proposed service was placed on and a comment cycle was established that closed on March 14,2002. At least one ny DBAC’s application has been filed. ure of the issues raised in your letter and appreciate the commitment to facilitate sustainable, nationwide competition in ing and broadband service marketplace for the benefit of U.S. is conducting a thorough review of the application, taking record in this proceeding. I assure you that in its review, we will consider mts that you raise in your letter. you for your interest and participation in this matter. Michael K. Powell Chairman

CHRIS CANNON ,a COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ~RDDISTFU~T,UTAH WASHINGTON OFFICE: 118 CANNON HOUSC OFFICE !3UlLDlNC COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES WAS~INDT~N, DC 20615 SUlCOMMl7TEES: l202)225-7761 UTAH OFFICE: COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM SuecowMllTees: 51 S. LJNIVERS~TYAYENUE, Sum 319 CENSUS P ROVO , UT 84808 WO1)373-ZWJ ENEROV POLICV, NAWML nrrwms. *Ml REGUu.‘ORV AF,4”S FAX l301) 3794609 1-300-571-2977 (UTAti 0Nl.I) COMMII-W ON SCIENCE www,house.govlcannon E-mri(: Cannan,ut03gmall.houw.gov 4 The Honorable Michael Powell Chainnan Federal Communications Commission 445 12”’ Street, N.W. Washington, DC. 20554 Re: Digilai Broad&and Applications Corporation’s (“DBAC’) January 8. 2002 Application Dear Chairman Powell: As you may know, 1 have been closely following the proposed acquisition by EchoStar of Hughes and its DirecTV subsidiary. The House Judiciary Committee has taken an active interest in preseming competition in the multichannel video programming and broadband markets. I have written to you previously on this matta together with other Members to express concerns about of the proposed merger. I am now writing on a related topic to urge the Federal Communications Commission to give serious consideration to Digital Broadband Applications Corporation’s (“DBAC”) January 8,2002 application for authority to operate earth stations with Fixed Satellite Service (“FEY’) and Direct Broadcast Service (“DBS”) satellites to provide a combined satellite video and high-speed data service throughout the United States. DBAC’s use of FSS and DBS satelIites - as well as terrestrial Local Multipoint Distribution Service (“LMDS”) spectrum where available - will provide an important alternative for all Americans for broadband video and data services, such as multichannel programming and two-way high-speed Internet access. For many people in rural America, satellite-delivered video and data service is the only option, since cable television and digital subscriber line (“DE”) service is either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The DBAC application takes on added urgency if the Commission is even considering the proposed merger of the only two major DBS market r) participants, a merger that would prohibit new entrants and greatly reduce the quality of customer service for many Americans. 0 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PWCR

This Congress has sought sustainable, nationwide competition in the multichannel video programming and broadband service markets to spur lower prices, and improve service quaiity and innovation. It is critical that the FCC fWil1 these important Congressional objectives. Granting approval to DBAC’s application would be a helpful step toward preserving and enhancing competition for these services. Thank you for your attention to this issue. I look forward to your response and favorable action from the Commission. Sincerely, Member of Congress * 8 4 8


Document Created: 2002-03-19 14:02:26
Document Modified: 2002-03-19 14:02:26
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