SBCA Disappointed by FCC Decision to Allow Sharing of Direct Broadcast Satellite Band; -- Millions of DBS Households Could Be Subject to Harmful Interference --.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

SBCA issued the following statement regarding the FCC decision to allow sharing in the direct broadcast satellite band:

On behalf of over 17 million direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscriber households representing over 45 million viewers the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) is disappointed and concerned by today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Services (MVDDS) access to the 12.2-12.7 GHz spectrum band used to transmit DBS services.

Today's decision does not appear to adequately reflect the results of a Congressionally-mandated independent test that conclusively demonstrated that allowing this type of sharing will cause a `significant interference threat' to DBS subscribers.

This decision is particularly difficult to understand in light of the fact that there is ample spectrum available outside the DBS band to allow a MVDDS competitor into the market without causing interference to DBS subscribers.

In fact, DIRECTV and EchoStar Communications Corp. submitted a filing to the FCC asking the Commission to consider housing Northpoint's proposed service in the Cable Television Relay Service (CARS) band, a band adjacent to the DBS band that is lightly used, has the same amount of spectrum, and presents no threat of harmful interference to DBS customers.

While we are pleased that the FCC order apparently makes an effort to protect DBS consumers, we will need to wait until the FCC order is released to determine if existing and future DBS subscribers are adequately protected.

The SBCA intends to continue to work to protect the interests of DBS customers.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (www.sbca.com) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite consumer services industry. It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive and broadband services.

The SBCA is composed of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies, that make up the consumer satellite services industry.