| From the "simple" beginnings of broadcasting a | | | | wildly successful, the project had difficulties in the |
| signal from a land-based source to a receiver | | | | beginning. Several attempts to launch a satellite |
| (television set), the experience of watching | | | | failed before EchoStar I was successfully orbiting |
| television has grown to include hundreds of | | | | in 1995. In the past 12 years, the number of |
| channels and several methods of distributing | | | | households subscribing to DISH Network has risen |
| programs. One of the latest popular methods is | | | | from about 20,000 to more than 11 million. |
| satellite service, with DISH Network as a major | | | | According to figures from the company, EchoStar |
| player. | | | | Communications Corporation serves more than |
| According to one encyclopedia definition, DISH | | | | 11.3 million satellite TV customers through DISH |
| Network "is a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) | | | | Network®, and is a leading U.S. provider of |
| service that provides satellite television and audio | | | | advanced digital television services. New figures |
| programming to households and businesses in the | | | | for 2007 indicate that the company has more |
| United States." (DISH stands for Digital Sky | | | | than 13 million customers. As with cable service, |
| Highway.) This service is provided by EchoStar | | | | satellite broadcast service includes such options as |
| Communications Corporation. | | | | "regular" video/audio programs, pay-per-view, high |
| Started more than 10 years ago (1996) the | | | | definition programming and more. |
| network is a direct competitor to cable television | | | | DISH Network is available throughout the U.S. |
| companies in the U.S. In 1987, EchoStar applied | | | | including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. A larger |
| for a DBS license with the Federal | | | | receiving dish is usually needed to get a good |
| Communications Commission and was granted | | | | signal outside the continental U.S. Areas outside |
| access to geostationary orbital slot 119° | | | | the continental United States will usually need a |
| West longitude in 1992, according to the | | | | larger dish to receive an adequate signal. |
| company's Web site. | | | | Dish sizes vary from the smallest 24-inch dish to |
| Telstar was the first satellite to send a television | | | | a dish as wide as 1.5 meters. Dish Network has |
| signal. The transmission was relayed from Europe | | | | started to provide Internet access to compete |
| to the satellite over North America in 1962. | | | | with cable companies. One of the newest services |
| Canada launched a satellite in 1972 to carry TV | | | | tried by DISH Network is broadband satellite |
| signals. History records that the first commercial | | | | Internet service. The company has contracted |
| satellite was the Early Bird (1965). The former | | | | with local telephone companies to provide services |
| Soviet Union developed the first nationwide | | | | in this area. An initial agreement with Starband for |
| network for satellite service in 1967. | | | | Internet service ended in 2003. |
| Though the DISH Network satellite service is now | | | | |