Northpoint Seeking Congressional Help
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 9/9/2002 10:51:00 AM
After a setback at the Federal Communications Commission, Northpoint Technology Ltd. is turning to Congress for help in obtaining spectrum without paying for it at auction.
The Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association sent all members of the U.S. Senate a letter Sept. 5 protesting Northpoint's latest lobbying moves, which called for adding favorable language to pending homeland-security legislation.
The SBCA said Northpoint is incorrectly asserting that if it could obtain the spectrum free-of-charge, it would be in position bolster the nation's broadcast emergency-alert system.
'This argument is false. EAS warnings, as required by law, are available to everyone in the country from local broadcast stations,' the SBCA said in the letter.
A few months ago, the FCC ruled that direct-broadcast satellite spectrum could be shared by companies like Northpoint that plan to provide video and data services using terrestrial transmitters. Northpoint was bitterly disappointed, however, when the agency ruled that it would auction the terrestrial licenses.
A Northpoint source confirmed the Capitol Hill lobbying effort Monday, saying that the company is working with Sens. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.).
The SBCA opposed the FCC's spectrum-sharing rules, claiming that Northpoint's service would interfere with reception in millions of DBS homes.
Both the SBCA and Northpoint have sued the FCC in federal court.
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