The US Federal Communications Commission has denied satellite TV provider Dish Network's request for a waiver needed to launch its mobile network and opted instead for a public consultation on the issue. Dish needs FCC approval to use satellite spectrum to support a ground-based cellular network and had hoped to receive a waiver this month. The FCC aims to conclude its rule-making process by the end of the year after taking public comment on how the spectrum would be used, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. Dish said it was disappointed with the FCC's decision but said it would work with the commission to get the needed approvals. Dish agreed to acquire the spectrum licences last year from bankrupt operators DBSD and TerreStar. The FCC approved the sale 02 March. The decision to launch a public consultation may be due to concerns about the FCC's handling of the LightSquared case. That company was granted a preliminary waiver for a similar spectrum issue, but the FCC later was forced to withdraw its approval due to interference from LightSquared's frequencies on GPS devices. Dish's spectrum however is not expected to cause such problems.
