Dish Slams SpaceX's ETC Application

Dish Network opposed an application by SpaceX’s Starlink for eligible telecom carrier designation to participate in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction for Florida and North Carolina. Too much depends on future 12 GHz rules, said an FCC filing posted Thursday in docket 09-197. “While the 12 GHz rulemaking is pending, SpaceX cannot credibly claim that it will have ‘sufficient access’ to the 12 GHz band for 10 years, as required by the RDOF rules,” Dish said: “To the extent that SpaceX’s requested ETC designation relies on the 12 GHz band, it should be denied or deferred, pending the resolution of the 12 GHz rulemaking.” SpaceX didn't comment. The Michigan Public Service Commission Thursday granted a temporary license for Starlink to provide basic service, a required step toward ETC designation there (see 2105130043).