And the NRTC said it expects the number to go up before the launch of services later this year from WildBlue, the developing Ka-Band platform.
NRTC said in its weekly update to members that their participation so far has generated fees totaling $1.1 million. Those funds that will help defray expenses for WildBlue's commercial launch, the cooperative said.
And through the distribution contract NRTC negotiated with DirecTV last year, NRTC members will have an opportunity to offer the combined services on a single dish. In December, NRTC enhanced the WildBlue/DirecTV product by offering a subsidy for new DirecTV subscribers to complement an existing subsidy for WildBlue equipment.
In a related development, WildBlue said it signed agreements with RS & I and DSI, two national master agents, both of which will be responsible for the recruitment, management and training of WildBlue dealers nationwide. No financial or compensatory details of the agreements were disclosed.
