EchoStar Seeks Special Temporary Authority Renewal for EchoStar 3, 12, 16

EchoStar is asking the FCC for additional life for its EchoStar 3, 12 and 16. In an International Bureau filing Thursday, EchoStar requested a 180-day extension of its special temporary authority to operate the trio at the nominal 61.5 degrees west orbital location. The company said since the FCC in 2012 approved a modification of the channels on which the satellites operate, it has granted a series of 180-day STA extensions to them, allowing them to continue operating on channels 1 and 2.