FCC backs Dish Network's wireless project

US satellite operator Dish Network is closer to winning regulatory approval to launch 4G mobile broadband services, after the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Julius Genachowski, circulated a proposal to allow Dish to use a 50MHz block of 'AWS-4' satellite wireless spectrum for terrestrial services based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.

Dish completed its acquisition of spectrum from DBSD North America and Terrestar Networks earlier this year, which it hoped to use to launch a wireless network. The FCC in March, however, denied Dish's request for a waiver that would have jumpstarted that process, opting instead for a formal review that appears to be winding down.

At the moment, six of every 10 wireless contracts in the United States are held by AT&T and Verizon. And the two companies have virtually cornered the market on providing the fastest wireless speeds, known as 4G LTE service.

"If approved, these actions will promote competition, investment and innovation, and advance commission efforts to unleash spectrum for mobile broadband to help meet skyrocketing consumer demand, while unlocking billions of dollars of value to the public," FCC spokesman Neil Grace said.

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