JRG9662: Unfortunately, DTV's last satellite launch, which was supposed to be late June, was delayed to to due payload difficulties w/an Orbital Sciences Satellite on the same launch vehicle. Direct TV will be lucky to have local HDTV channels up and running from Spaceway 2 by the end of the year. Here is a quote from Spaceflightnow.com:
Late Oct. Ariane 5 ECA • Spaceway and Telkom 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
The Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA rocket will launch the Spaceway 2 communications satellite for The DIRECTV Group and the Indonesian Telkom 2 communications satellite. The Boeing-built Spaceway 2 spacecraft will use its Ka-Band payload to expand and enhance DIRECTV's direct-to-home television service and provide broadband services across the United States. The Orbital Sciences-built Telkom 2 has 24 C-band transponders to transmit telecommunications services to Indonesia. Delayed from June 24 due to Telkom problem. [Aug. 22]
I am pulling the trigger on an HDTV later this fall and while I do enjoy DirectTv, they are not in a position to be competitive (yet) w/Comcast. This is especially true since there is no out of pocket expense to go to Comcast, though they do have the worst customer service. I have been told that once the new satellite it activated, all DTV HDTV subscribers will need a new dish and upgraded satellite receiver. No word on cost to current subscribers for new equipment.
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