StarBand Launches Nation's First Two-Way High Speed Internet Service Via Satellite

16-Nov-00

StarBand Communications Inc. announced the launch of the nation's first consumer-focused high speed, always-on, two-way Internet service via satellite.Despite the high-speed Internet revolution promised with the introduction of broadband service, approximately 55 million households still do not have access to cable modem or DSL technology. The StarBand service is now available to virtually every household in the continental United States with a view of the southern sky.""We are excited to bring the reality of high-speed Internet service to the millions of Americans across the country who have been denied access because their homes are located in neighborhoods not served by DSL or cable,"" said Zur Feldman, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starband Communications. ""Thanks to the innovative technology provided to us from Gilat Satellite Networks, consumers no longer have to worry about how far away they live from the telephone company's central office or if their cable company has upgraded the cable in their neighborhood. All they have to do is look up. If they can see the southern sky, they can enjoy StarBand service.""""'Just Look Up' is the flagship trademark of StarBand's launch advertising campaign,"" said David Trachtenberg, StarBand's President and Chief Marketing Officer. ""This brand campaign will be launching next week in selected cities in outdoor media and radio as well as in national print. The message we are communicating to subscribers is clear: if you have been waiting for high-speed Internet, your wait is over.""StarBand can now be ordered at selected DISH Networkô retailers and at Microsoft Internet Centers at RadioShack stores throughout the continental U.S.Consumers have the choice of a StarBand-ready Compaq personal computer from RadioShack or the StarBand Model 180, a ""satellite modem,"" available through the DISH Network retailers and ready to connect to an existing personal computer through a USB port. Currently MSN is offering a package that includes a free dish, free installation, free dial-up service during installation and 5 free hours of dial-up service. Customers must purchase the special satellite modem ($299.95) and agree to a one-year MSN HighSpeed Satellite service contract ($59.95 per month plus applicable taxes).Although consumers cannot purchase DISH network services at RadioShack stores, StarBand antennas purchased through either channel are equipped to provide consumers with a one-dish solution for both high-speed Internet service and 500 video channels from DISH Network. The special 24x36-inch satellite dish antenna is expected to retail for approximately $400. The StarBand dish antenna will be available in a configuration that includes two DISH Network satellite receivers for satellite television reception - this in addition to a third satellite receiver for receiving Internet content, and a transmitter for transmitting to the Internet via satellite. The StarBand system is not compatible with satellite television systems other than EchoStar's DISH Network 500 service.StarBand consumers can expect download speeds up to 500kbps and upload speeds up to 150kbps. However, users may experience slower speed during peak hours which are typically weekday evenings. StarBand's goal is to provide 150kbps download speeds and upload speeds of 50kbps during the busiest hours on the net. The service can also be affected, or even interrupted completely during heavy rainstorms.StarBand is scheduled to launch in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico in 2001.For more information, visit the StarBand Web site at www.starband.com.

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