EchoStar Announces Construction Plans For Three New Satellites To Serve DISH Networkô's Fast Growing Satellite TV Service
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) (NASDAQ: DISHP), announced the commencement of construction of three new state-of-the-art satellites designed to offer the latest technology and unparalleled choice to DISH Networkô subscribers across the country. EchoStar VII and VIII will be advanced, high-powered direct broadcast satellites (DBS). Each will include spot-beam technology that will allow DISH Network to offer local channels in as many as 60 or more markets across the United States. EchoStar IX, a hybrid Ku/Ka-band satellite, may provide dynamic new opportunities for EchoStar to pursue business-to-business customers and for DISH Network subscribers to experience expanded services that could include internet, data and potentially two-way wireless communications. EchoStar made the announcement at Team Summit 2000 in Denver, Colorado, its annual conference of more than 1,600 DISH Network retailers from across the nation. With five satellites in orbit today and a sixth scheduled to be launched this spring, DISH Network's satellite fleet already provides capacity of more than 500 channels for its more than 3.4 million customers. Delivery of EchoStar VII and EchoStar VIII is expected during December 2001, with delivery of EchoStar IX expected during 2002. EchoStar VII, expected to operate from the 119 degrees West Longitude orbital location, will be designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. EchoStar VIII, which is expected to operate at the 110 degree W.L. orbital location, and EchoStar IX, which is expected to operate at the 121 degree W.L. orbital location, will be designed and manufactured by Space Systems/Loral. EchoStar VII and VIII each will be capable of operating 32 DBS transponders at 120 watts each, switchable to 16 transponders operating at 240 watts each. The spot beam payloads for each satellite have been designed to work together to maximize the number of local spot markets served across the United States, while providing mutual back up to offer increased reliability to customers. EchoStar IX will be capable of operating 32 Ku band transponders at 110 watts each, in addition to the Ka band payload. ""EchoStar is pleased to work with both Loral and Lockheed Martin for the construction of three more satellites that will allow us to offer our growing number of DISH Network customers even more channels,"" said Charlie Ergen, CEO and Chairman of EchoStar. ""These three new satellites show our continuing commitment to innovation and to providing consumers with the best possible service. The new satellites will help DISH Network offer exciting new services for our customers, from interactive TV and data services, to local channels so consumers have a better alternative to high cable rates."" Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, based in Sunnyvale, California, with operations in Colorado, will build EchoStar VII, which is based on the Lockheed Martin A2100 AX satellite bus optimized for direct broadcast applications. The satellite will be assembled in the Lockheed Martin Commercial Satellite Center in Sunnyvale. ""I am very pleased that we've been selected by EchoStar to provide this satellite. The award builds on the long-term relationship between the companies, which began with the provision of the first four satellites of the EchoStar constellation,"" said Peter Kujawski, President of Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. ""Because EchoStar is one of the leaders of the growing direct-to-home service business, it is very important to us to be chosen to provide the right solution, especially as they continue to grow their business. We greatly look forward to working with them on the EchoStar VII program."" Space Systems/Loral, based in Palo Alto, California, will build EchoStar VIII, an SS/L FS1300 series spacecraft. Space Systems/Loral will also design and build EchoStar IX, a slightly larger SS/L FS1300 series spacecraft. ""We're proud to have earned the trust of EchoStar and the opportunity to provide products that will help EchoStar maintain its reputation for reliable, innovative services,"" said Dr. John M. Klineberg, President of Space Systems/Loral. ""Our 1300 buses are designed to achieve highly reliable and long useful orbital life and excellent station-keeping."" Space Systems/Loral's new satellites will be similar to EchoStar V and VI, both built by Loral. EchoStar V was launched in September 1999, and EchoStar VI is expected to launch this spring from Cape Canaveral, Florida to join EchoStar V at the 110 degrees W.L. orbital position. EchoStar is in discussions with various launch vehicle providers and will announce launch plans for each of the satellites once final agreements have been reached. EchoStar Communications Corp., includes three interrelated business units: - DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, including DolbyÆ Digital surround sound, high-speed interactive television and data services, all on a single dish, as well as offering fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network was ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. - EchoStar Technologies Corporation designs, manufactures and distributes DBS set-top boxes, antennas and other digital equipment for the DISH Network and various international customers that include ExpressVu Canada and the Via Digital system in Spain. ETC provides construction, oversight and project integration services for customers internationally. ETC also oversees EchoStar Data Networks Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, a leading supplier of MediaStreamô technology for distributing Internet content over satellite networks. - Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data services to business television customers and other satellite users. These services include satellite uplink, satellite transponder space usage and other services. Satellite Services also administers SKY VISTA, a direct broadcast satellite service offering popular digital satellite television programming to viewers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories in the Caribbean. DISH Network, which currently serves over 3.4 million customers, is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is located on the Internet at www.dishnetwork.com. About Space Systems/Loral Space Systems/Loral is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful geostationary satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services, including mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, California, SS/L has an international roster of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, wireless telephony, direct-top-home broadcast, environmental monitoring and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001 certified. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com. About Loral Space and Communications Loral Space and Communications is a high technology company that concentrates primarily on satellite manufacturing and satellite-based services, including broadcast transponder leasing and value-added services, domestic and international corporate data networks, global wireless telephony, broadband data transmission and content services, Internet services, and international direct-to-home satellite services. For more information, visit www.loral.com. About Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems markets, designs and builds geostationary and non-geostationary communications, navigation and remote sensing satellites in all frequency bands for customers worldwide. In addition, Commercial Space Systems offers turnkey space-based solutions including the spacecraft, ground systems, launch operations and on-orbit support. Commercial Space Systems is an operating unit of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, based in Denver. For more information, visit www.lmcommercialspace.com.