EchoStar And Geocast Align To Deliver New Interactive Broadband Services To PC Users Via Satellite

23-Oct-00

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) and Geocast Network Systems Inc. announced an agreement to deliver personalized broadband services to PC users via EchoStar's DISH Networkô satellite TV service. Under the terms of the agreement, Geocast will deliver its personalized broadband services to PC users using dedicated bandwidth on one of EchoStar's primary direct broadcast satellites. This agreement will enable Geocast to reach a nationwide audience and allows DISH Network to deliver new PC services to its subscribers. ""Geocast's personalized broadband service incorporates the best features of the Internet and video for our customers,"" said Charlie Ergen, chairman and CEO of EchoStar. ""Geocast will be a one-stop shop for DISH Network's over 4.3 million customers who want to receive customizable content and high quality video clips on their home computers as well as receive the hundreds of popular, 100 percent digital television channels from DISH Network on their televisions - all using the same small satellite dish. Geocast takes the traditional Internet experience to a whole new level."" ""This agreement represents a significant milestone on our roadmap towards delivering personalized broadband services and content to PC users,"" said Joe Horowitz, Chairman and CEO of Geocast Network Systems Inc. ""EchoStar's nationwide brand recognition, all-digital video signal and nationwide distribution and installation network gives Geocast the opportunity to expand our service rapidly."" Geocast is building a new broadband platform and personalized rich media delivery service for PC users through a strategy that harnesses the high-speed delivery mechanisms of digital terrestrial, satellite and cable broadcasters. The combined network and service solution offers the instant availability and clarity of television with the customization and interactive features of the Web. The Geocast service, expected to be available to DISH Network customers in the third quarter of 2001, will give users instant access to their own personalized selection of locally and nationally sourced information, entertainment and e-commerce offerings, including downloadable software and music. Geocast is the only broadband network that will offer a completely new communications platform including: data transmission, personal server and precisely targeted content. At the heart of Geocast's richness and flexibility is the GeoBoxô, a unique personal broadband server that connects easily to a user's PC and receives, processes and stores personalized content for on-demand retrieval from its internal hard drive. Users will continue to use their current Internet provider for Web access and for e-mail. Geocast will be able to deliver content from EchoStar's satellite to DISH Network customers who have a DISH Network satellite TV system with a GeoBox connected to their PC. The GeoBox, which contains a 40GB hard-drive, will filter and store the personalized content delivered via DISH Network at high speeds of up to 12 megabits per second. The GeoBox will enable PC users to receive and store high-quality audio, TV-like video images and software downloads at unparalleled speeds without the inherent problems associated with rich media delivered through an Internet connection.For more information about DISH Network, phone 800 333 DISH (3474) or visit www.dishnetwork.com. For more information about Geocast, visit www.geocast.com.

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