| In the United States, satellite TV services from | | | | as one that allows your satellite dish to maintain |
| providers such as the DISH Network are | | | | line-of-sight contact with its 'parent' transmitter, or |
| regulated by the Federal Communications | | | | to view the satellite. However, masts over 12 |
| Commission, or FCC. The FCC oversees policies, | | | | feet above your roofline, or that extend beyond |
| rules, procedures and standards for licensing and | | | | an exclusive-use area, may be subject to other |
| regulating satellite space and earth station facilities | | | | laws. |
| for both domestic and international use. As such, | | | | It may also interest you to note that the FCC |
| they have also set several guidelines for the use | | | | does not, in fact, require a satellite company to |
| of satellite technology for home entertainment | | | | provide local channels to any subscriber looking for |
| purposes. | | | | them. Instead, service providers have the option |
| For example, a satellite dish that is 1 meter (39.37 | | | | of providing local-into-local service at their |
| inches) or less may be installed on an area that | | | | discretion. Several companies, including the DISH |
| you own, or where you have exclusive use of. | | | | Network, provide access to local channels where |
| There are certain caveats that apply, such as the | | | | available as added value for their customers. |
| legality of the use of any size of dish for satellite | | | | However, with the wealth of entertainment |
| TV use in Alaska. Also, antennas covered by | | | | options that firms like DISH offer to its |
| these rules can be mounted on masts in order to | | | | subscribers, local channels may soon become the |
| reach the height required to receive or transmit | | | | last thing on your mind. |
| an acceptable quality signal. This height is defined | | | | |