But ultimately, the FCC appears likely to consent to the company's repurposing plans, according to Stifel Nicolaus analyst Christopher King.

"We expect the FCC will approve, probably late 2012, general terrestrial use of the 2 GHz band, which Dish needs to deploy wireless broadband service and or at least increase the spectrum's value," King wrote in a research note. "The question is how the FCC will go about making this change, particularly the requirements it could impose on Dish."

Indeed, the three commissioners spoke in unison about the pressing need to convert more portions of the airwaves for mobile broadband as the heavy usage of increasingly data-intensive applications continues to strain wireless networks.

"Our appetite for spectrum seems insatiable," observed Commissioner Robert McDowell.

McDowell is currently the lone Republican on the panel, serving alongside Democrat Julius Genachowski, the FCC's chairman, and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. The FCC, normally a five-person body, is awaiting confirmation of two commissioners whose nominations have been delayed in the Senate.