[Satellite TODAY 11-09-11] The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) filed a petition for a declaratory ruling with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against a satellite dish ordinance bill (No. 100200-AAA) recently enacted by the Philadelphia Municipal Government, SBCA announced Nov. 4.

According to the details of the ordinance, Philadelphia residents of single-family homes are prohibited to install dishes between facades of their homes and the street if a location preferable to the city is available. The rule is required to be enforced regardless of how much more expensive the alternate location might be. If there is no alternate location, the residents then must register their dishes with the city and paint them in a color deemed acceptable.

            SBCA Director of Public Policy Lisa McCabe believes the ordinance ranks among the most overbroad regulations of satellite dishes in history. “We are hopeful that the FCC will support our petition and declare Philadelphia’s ordinance a violation, setting the way for satellite television’s continued competition against cable in the video services market in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania and setting valuable precedent across the country,” McCabe said in a statement.