**Before the**

**FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION**

**Washington, DC 20554**

In re Application of )

)

EchoStar Satellite Corporation ) File No. SAT-STA-20000614-00104

)

Request for Special Temporary Authority )

To Operate the EchoStar 6 Direct Broadcast )

Satellite at 148º W.L. for an Eight-Week )

Period. )

)

# ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

Adopted: July 11, 2000 Released: July 12, 2000

By the Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division:

1\. EchoStar Satellite Corporation ("EchoStar") requests a Special
Temporary Authority ("STA") to operate the EchoStar 6 Direct Broadcast
Satellite ("DBS") at 148º W.L. for an eight-week period for the purpose
of conducting an In-Orbit Test ("IOT") over all 32 channels. EchoStar
was granted authority to launch EchoStar 6 and operate it at the 110º
W.L. orbital location.[^1] EchoStar has recently requested modification
authority to operate the satellite at the 119º W.L. orbital
location.[^2] This request will be addressed in a future order and
action on this STA request is without prejudice to EchoStar's request
for permanent authority at 119º W.L.

2.  EchoStar is currently authorized to operate 24 of the 32 DBS
    channels at 148º

W.L. (1-17 odd and even channels and 19-31 odd channels).[^3] EchoStar
states that no other DBS licensee has authority to use the 148º W.L.
orbital location, nor is any other licensee expected to obtain authority
to use this location in the eight weeks following the launch of EchoStar
6. Thus, EchoStar will be able to conduct testing of all 32 transponders
without causing harmful interference to any other satellite operators.
Furthermore, EchoStar argues that proper testing is necessary to comply
with requirements set forth by its insurers and to ensure that EchoStar
6 will function as planned.

3.  We find it is in the public interest to grant EchoStar's request to
    conduct

an IOT at the 148º W.L. orbital location. The 148º W.L. orbital location
is currently vacant. There are no operational DBS satellites at or near
this location and no such operations are expected during the requested
eight-week period. In addition, operations under this STA will be on a
non-harmful interference basis. Therefore, we grant EchoStar's request
for Special Temporary Authority.

4.  Accordingly, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 0.261 of the Commission's rules
    of

delegated authority, EchoStar's Request for Special Temporary Authority
to Operate the EchoStar 6 Direct Broadcast Satellite at 148º W.L. for an
Eight-Week Period, File No. SAT-STA-20000614-00104, IS GRANTED
consistent with the terms and specifications set forth in its
application subject to the following conditions:

> \(a\) that no harmful interference shall be caused to any lawfully
> operating radiocommunication systems and operations shall cease
> immediately upon notification of such harmful interference;
>
> \(b\) this authorization is subject to change in any of its terms or
> cancellation in its entirety at any time upon reasonable notice, but
> without hearing, if in the opinion of the Commission, circumstances
> should require;
>
> \(c\) this temporary authority shall commence on the date EchoStar
> notifies the Commission that the EchoStar 6 satellite has reached the
> 148º W.L. orbital location and that testing has begun, and will
> terminate 60 days from that date;
>
> \(d\) this temporary authority is only for testing purposes and shall
> not be used for provision of commercial service;
>
> \(e\) any extensions of this authorization must be requested and
> approved in writing.
>
> FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Thomas S. Tycz

> Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division
>
> International Bureau

[^1]: *See Application of MCI Telecommunications Corporation, Assignor,
    and EchoStar 110 Corporation, Assignee, Order and Authorization, FCC
    99-109 (released May 19, 1999) (MCI/EchoStar Order).*

[^2]: *See* EchoStar Satellite Corporation, Application for Minor
    Modification of DBS Authorizations, Launch and Operation Authority
    (filed June 7, 2000), File No. SAT-MOD-20000607-00099.

[^3]: *See EchoStar DBS Corporation,* 12 FCC Rcd. 11946, 11947 n.3
    (1996); *see also EchoStar DBS Corporation,* 11 FCC Rcd. 16291,
    16295 (1996).