Got this in from a DIRECTV Retailer... looks like the new Reverse Band 5 LNB will be launching nationwide next week. Here are the details. Thanks for being SatelliteGuys. 
Following a successful pilot, we are excited to announce that the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB will be available to use nationally as of August 4, 2016.
Like the Reverse Band 3 LNB that launched earlier this year, the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB is capable of receiving and downconverting Ka, Ku as well as the new Reverse Band satellite frequencies, which will play a key role in our future delivery of broadcast 4K channels. The main difference from the Digital Reverse Band 3 is that the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB can receive programming from the 119 orbital slot.
When to Use Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB
Since this hardware will be needed for the future delivery of broadcast 4K content, the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB should only be used when the work order dictates it, and per the Service rules defined below.
Technicians should check the Product information and Capability field found in the LNB OLI for every job except Service, much like the work order-driven requirements to install the Digital Reverse Band 3. If the Product is Reverse Band 5 or the Capability field reads “RBAND5:true”, the system will only allow a Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB to be installed in order to successfully close the OLI, and an error message will appear if a different LNB is installed.
Service calls will not have the Capability field indicator for Digital Reverse Band 5, so technicians will need to keep in mind that the system enforces like-for-like LNB swaps. If a customer already has a Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB, only a Digital Reverse Band 5 can be installed in its place.
The physical installation procedure for the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB is exactly the same as all other SWiM LNBs, so there should not be any change in technician workflow. Technicians should take note of the physical shape and features of the Digital Reverse Band 5 to ensure they are selecting the appropriate LNB to install, and if in doubt, the model number should start with 5D2RB.
Field personnel should also keep the following details in mind:
Following a successful pilot, we are excited to announce that the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB will be available to use nationally as of August 4, 2016.
Like the Reverse Band 3 LNB that launched earlier this year, the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB is capable of receiving and downconverting Ka, Ku as well as the new Reverse Band satellite frequencies, which will play a key role in our future delivery of broadcast 4K channels. The main difference from the Digital Reverse Band 3 is that the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB can receive programming from the 119 orbital slot.
When to Use Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB
Since this hardware will be needed for the future delivery of broadcast 4K content, the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB should only be used when the work order dictates it, and per the Service rules defined below.
Technicians should check the Product information and Capability field found in the LNB OLI for every job except Service, much like the work order-driven requirements to install the Digital Reverse Band 3. If the Product is Reverse Band 5 or the Capability field reads “RBAND5:true”, the system will only allow a Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB to be installed in order to successfully close the OLI, and an error message will appear if a different LNB is installed.
Service calls will not have the Capability field indicator for Digital Reverse Band 5, so technicians will need to keep in mind that the system enforces like-for-like LNB swaps. If a customer already has a Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB, only a Digital Reverse Band 5 can be installed in its place.
The physical installation procedure for the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB is exactly the same as all other SWiM LNBs, so there should not be any change in technician workflow. Technicians should take note of the physical shape and features of the Digital Reverse Band 5 to ensure they are selecting the appropriate LNB to install, and if in doubt, the model number should start with 5D2RB.
Field personnel should also keep the following details in mind:
- OLI and Capability Field: Before pulling an LNB off the truck, check the LNB OLI – Product line: “DIGITAL SWM LNB”; Product name “REVERSE BAND 5” – or the Capability field to understand which LNB will be required for a job.
- Service: Service swap rules for Reverse Band are like-for-like, but the Capability field won’t be available to deliver that information.
- Serial Number Scanning Information: Technicians can scan the serial number of a Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB using their handhelds and the product line on the OLI will automatically populate. Additional information and screen shots are provided in the Reverse Band 5 job aid.
- AIM Firmware and IV Database Update: Technicians should ensure that their AIM is updated to support Digital Reverse Band 5. AIMs should be loaded with at least firmware v4.0 and IV database v0041. These updates were originally released to the field in January 2016, can be found by selecting this link and are designed to work on AIM 1.0 and 1.5.
- Tuner Count: At launch, the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB operationally supports up to 13 tuners in a SWiM system. For more details on the difference between digital and analog SWiM LNBs, please visit the DOCK and search keyword “digital vs analog”.
- The work order will not contain a Reverse Band OLI when customers have more than 13 tuners in their home. However, those customers can still be authorized for broadcast 4K content, which should be confirmed before leaving the home.
- Inventory Details: Technicians – including contractors – should make every effort to ensure they always have on-truck inventory of Digital Reverse Band 5 LNBs to support systemic requirements. Please keep in mind that Digital Reverse Band 5 should only be used on 4K work orders where the 119 orbital slot is needed to receive certain programming. The recommended par level for the Digital Reverse Band 5 LNB is 1 for legacy DIRECTV technicians.
