Satellite companies fighting Philadelphia law to move dishes off front of buildings

The fight to regulate home satellite dishes in Philadelphia is awaiting a ruling from the FCC.  

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association contends that the city’s requirement to mount satellite dishes on the roof of homes or paint dishes to match the front facade of buildings violates Federal Communications Commission rules.

Lisa McCabe, Director of Public Policy for the trade group says the city has no right to regulate the installation of the dishes.

“Basically our claim is that the ordinance as passed by the city of Philadelphia runs afoul of the Federal Communication over the air device reception rule,” said McCabe.

McCabe says the rule bars state or local governments along with community associations from regulating where you can put a satellite dish.  She says painting the dish would delay installation, and could hurt picture quality.

Councilman Darrell Clarke, who wrote the law, says he knew the complaint would come and believes it will survive FCC scrutiny.