Dish Network is one of the biggest satellite TV providers in the United States where it has millions of subscribers. However, which satellites does Dish Network actually employ to transmit television programming to customers? Here’s an overview of the Dish Network satellites currently in operation:
EchoStar XVII
The Dish Network’s EchoStar XVII is one of the most potent and technologically sophisticated satellites currently in use. This satellite was launched in 2012 as a replacemeant to the EchoStar XV satellite and transmits high definition (HD) and standard definition programs to the Dish viewers across the continental United States of America. It has spot-beam technology to target some areas and that will assist in enhancing effective signal transmission. The EchoStar XVII satellite has 32 Ku-band transponders and 24 Ka-band spot-beam transponders in the United States.
EchoStar XIV
EchoStar XIV has been operational since 2010 as the replacement of EchoStar V satellite that is responsible for broadcasting of the high definition and standard definition programs to the Dish customers in the western half of the United States. Some of the featured cities are Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque as well as Honolulu. EchoStar XIV has 32 CONUS Ku-band transponders that are fitted with an enhanced TWTA amplifiers for signal boost.
AMC-15
Dish has several transponders on the AMC-15 satellite for upgraded coverage from the continental United States to Hawaii for standard and high-definition services. AMC-15 was launched by SES in 2004 with 24 Ku-band and it is having a good capability over the mainland United States. In essence, leasing AMC-15 capacity enables Dish to fill the gaps in their core fleet provision services.
AMC-16
Another satellite Dish Network uses through leasing is AMC-16, which was also launched in 2004 and is operated by SES. AMC-16 is Dish’s primary satellite provider of local HD markets throughout the United States. It enhances the company’s capacity to avail local HD channels in other cities in the US by Dish since AMC-16 has a broader scope. The satellite carries 24 Ku-band transponders for Dish’s HD locals delivery.
AMC-18
AMC-18 gives Dish more bandwidth for high definition services, improving Dish’s national HD platform. It is a Ku and Ka-band satellite with the capacity to distribute programmes to customers across the country. Dish employs multiple Ku-band transponders on AMC-18 for improving and broadening the available HD offerings to more locations. The satellite was launched in 2006 and is operated by SES and provides Dish with additional transponder capacity.
QuetzSat-1
Most of Dish Network’s fleet is deployed over the continental United States although they also tap on satellite coverage for other regions. One of these is QuetzSat-1 which was launched by SES in 2011 to provide service in Latin America. To provide US program to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands Dish leases Ku-band transponder space on QuetzSat-1. Therefore, when Dish customers in those regions make their viewers, they receive signals from QuetzSat-1.
Anik F3
Dish employs space on the Anik F3 satellite to deliver certain programming to dish customers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Anik F3 belongs to Telesat and it has C-band and Ku-band transponders that offer service in the American region. Dish currently uses 14 Ku-band transponders in Anik F3 to support coverage for their customers in regions other than the contiguous United States.
In conclusion, Dish Network acquires satellite capacity on its own EchoStar satellite fleet as well as leasing space from other firms such SES and Telesat. This makes it possible for Dish to provide its customers with a rich channel package and local content in the mainland US, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska. Thus, no matter if you enjoy the services of Dish in Los Angeles, Miami or Anchorage, your dish is aimed at one of these satellites to get the TV shows, sports and movies from space almost! As Dish improves services and coverage even more in the future years, they might lease more satellite capacity or launch more superior satellites on their own.
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