EchoStar Plans To Launch Two High-Powered Loral Satellites In 1999 To Provide 500 Channels Of Programming, Internet And HDTV Delivery

EchoStar Communications Corporation, The News Corporation Limited and MCI WorldCom Wednesday (May 19, 1999) announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the transfer from MCI WorldCom to EchoStar of the license to operate a high-powered direct broadcast satellite (DBS) business at the 110 degrees West Longitude orbital location consisting of 28 frequencies, bringing EchoStarís total to 29 frequencies at 110 (degree) W.L.In conjunction with FCC approval, EchoStar also announced the scheduled launch of EchoStar V in late summer 1999 and EchoStar VI in December 1999, on Atlas launch vehicles from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Both satellites are scheduled to be launched to the strategic 110 (degree) W.L. orbital slot, capable of providing service to the entire continental United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories in the Caribbean.A successful EchoStar V launch in late summer will enable EchoStarís DISH Network to add over 250 channels for consumers this year. By combining the capacity of the satellites at the 110 (degree) W.L. orbital slot and EchoStarís current satellites at 119 (degree), EchoStarís DISH Network will be able to offer over 500 channels of programming, Internet/data delivery and HDTV from a single dish.The launches will also enhance EchoStarís leadership role in providing popular local channels by satellite. With a single 18-inch dish, over 50 percent of consumers in the U.S. will be able to receive their local channels with a digital picture and CD-quality audio. In smaller cities representing approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population, consumers will be able to receive local channels by satellite by installing a second dish. DISH Network currently offers local channels in 13 major cities.""Weíre pleased to secure these long-term plans for EchoStar, which will allow us to provide new and exciting digital content to DISH Network subscribers,"" said Charlie Ergen, Chairman and CEO of EchoStar. ""EchoStar V and VI, when combined with our existing fleet of satellites, position EchoStar to deliver more content to American consumers from a single integrated source then any other multichannel video service provider.""Built by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California, EchoStar V and EchoStar VI are both high-powered FS-1300 series spacecraft. EchoStar V has 32 110W Ku-band transponders and EchoStar VI had 32 125W Ku-band transponders. Both satellites are capable of power-combining to 16 transponders each of 220W and 250W, respectively, to meet the transmission demands of todayís direct-broadcast markets.For more information, contact EchoStar Communications Corporation Communications Director Judianne Atencio, 303 723 2010 or email: Judianne.atencio@echostar.com.