EchoStar in comments last week told the FCC that it won’t have enough capacity by Feb ’09 to simultaneously carry broadcasters’ HD and standard-def digital signals. The agency could soon enact such dual carriage mandates. “It is critical to understand that EchoStar will not physically be able to transition all broadcasters from analog to digital at midnight on February 17, 2009,” wrote the satcaster, adding that “even conducting the transition over a matter of many months would be a substantial hurdle.” While noting an approx $5K/customer equipment cost for each broadcast transition, EchoStar is asking the FCC to mandate broadcaster signal provision starting now and to stage broadcaster/MVPD summits to address related issues.

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Tuesday–March 10

BEAD Bargaining: A $21 Billion AI Question Looms

It continues to be hurry-up-and-wait when it comes to NTIA’s guidance for the estimated $21 billion in BEAD non-deployment funds up for grabs. But Democrats are hoping to get some answers sooner rather than later.

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