[Satellite TODAY 06-22-10] The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA), a national trade organization representing all segments of the consumer satellite industry, filed a petition for declaratory ruling with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against a satellite dish ordinance (Ordinance NO. 16-2009) enacted by the city of Reading, Pa., the SBCA announced June 21.
    SBCA’s petition addresses several provisions of the ordinance such as those that require consumers to apply for and receive a certificate of appropriateness and permit prior to installing a satellite dish and provisions requiring mandatory screening for satellite dishes. Additionally, the petition argues that the impairments to satellite service imposed by the ordinance are not eligible for the FCC’s preservation exemption in the OTARD rule.
    The petition, filed jointly with DirectSat USA, an installation provider of satellite services in the Reading area and throughout the East and Midwest Regions of the United States, FCC to require Reading to suspend all enforcement efforts while they consider the issue. 
    “The Reading ordinance violates federal law. The city’s ordinance is burdensome, anti-competitive and negatively impacts customers who depend on satellite TV for programming services,” SBCA Spokeswoman Lisa McCabe said in a statement.