MITRE FINALLY STARTS NORTHPOINT TESTS DESPITE SBCA PROTEST
Two weeks past mandatory deadline set by Congress (CD Feb. 20 p3) to conduct tests and compile results, as of Fri. Northpoint was only terrestrial company that had submitted technology for testing by Mitre, officials said. Mitre had been hired by FCC to conduct testing of satellite and terrestrial equipment owned by DBS and terrestrial companies involved in dispute at Commission. DBS providers EchoStar and DirecTV also submitted equipment, but kept pressure on to have Mitre removed as testing company while challenging way tests were being conducted. Mitre is conducting tests at hq in Bedford, Mass. Congress had ordered FCC to complete tests by Feb. 19, but parameters for procedures weren’t finished in time to meet deadline. Northpoint CEO Sophia Collier told us she expected Mitre to release results of tests “on or around” April 9.
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Meanwhile, DBS representatives led by Satellite Bcstg. & Communications Assn. (SBCA) Pres. Charles Hewitt continued to press for removal of Mitre as tester. In weekly President’s letter, Hewitt told SBCA members Mitre should be removed and said he had “concerns” about “methods being used to complete the tests.” That has been sticking point during spectrum dispute. “We believe that Mitre does not have the experience in this area to adequately conduct the test, and we feel it is an injustice that they will conduct their testing in a lab setting versus a true field test,” Hewitt said.
Collier said concerns raised by rivals were interesting. “Remember,” she said, it was DBS industry “that kept calling for independent tests and now they are opposed to them.” Northpoint can’t receive license for terrestrial broadband service until tests are completed. Testing is to determine whether startup terrestrial service being proposed by Northpoint would interfere with satellite TV companies in 12.2-12.7 GHz band. FCC spokesman confirmed final rulemaking would come after testing was completed and results were studied.
Neither Pegasus nor C-band provider Satellite Receivers provided technology for tests. Pegasus has submitted application identical to Northpoint for terrestrial service.