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 JOINT  STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONERS  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS  AND  JONATHAN  S.  ADELSTEIN 
 APPROVING  IN  PART  AND  CONCURRING  IN  PART 
 Re:  Amendment  of  the  Commission’s  Policies  and  Rules  for  Processing  Applications  in  the  Direct  Broadcast  Satellite  Service;  Feasibility  of  Reduced  Orbital  Spacing  for 
 Provision  of  Direct  Broadcast  Satellite  Service  in  the  United  States  (Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking,  IB  Docket  No.  06-  160,  Report  No.  SPB-  196) 


 Today  the  Commission  seeks  comment  on  how  to  deal  with  proposals  to  launch  so-  called  ‘tweener  satellites  which  would  operate  in  the  orbital  spaces  between  existing  DBS 
 satellites.  This  is  an  important  and  complex  question,  and  we  are  glad  the  Commission  approaches  it  through  a  comprehensive  rulemaking  process.  As  the  record  before  the 
 Commission  indicates,  the  views  of  satellite  operators  about  the  technical  feasibility  of  ‘tweeners  are  currently  in  a  state  of  flux.  Indeed,  though  the  two  providers  of  retail  DBS 
 service  in  the  United  States  initially  disagreed  about  the  advisability  of  permitting  ‘tweeners,  both  now  believe  that  the  approach  raises  significant  interference  concerns. 


 We  concur  in  part,  however,  because  of  that  portion  of  the  item  that  states  the  Commission  “may”  grant  pending  ‘tweener  applications  before  completing  this 
 rulemaking.  That  strikes  us  as  putting  the  cart  in  front  of  the  horse.  We  believe  the  better  course  would  be  to  refrain  from  approving  any  applications  until  the  Commission  can 
 develop  a  comprehensive  framework  for  these  matters.  Such  an  approach  would  ensure  that  the  millions  of  current  DBS  subscribers  are  not  subject  to  any  potential  for 
 interruptions  to  their  service. 
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