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EchoStar's ViP-TV to Deliver Video Transport Service to Ohio-Based IPTV Provider CT Communications

^{Published on 2009-11-09 05:17:22 - Market Wire}
 

ENGLEWOOD, CO--(Marketwire - November 9, 2009) - EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: [ SATS ]), announced today an agreement to deliver its ViP-TV™ video transport service to CT Communications, an independent telephone company in Ohio. CT Communications will receive transport of up to 46 IP-encapsulated high definition TV channels to its IP headend. The announcement was made in advance of this week's TelcoTV Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla.

CT Communications is a telecommunications service provider supplying traditional and digital telephone, high-speed Internet and television services to more than 8,000 customers in Western Ohio.

"We sought a platform like EchoStar's that enables us to offer competitive video services using our existing IP network, including high quality HD channels," said Michael W. Conrad, president and general manager at CT Communications. "EchoStar's ViP-TV transport service allows us to expand our range of popular HD content easily without a complex integration effort."

EchoStar's ViP-TV transport service can offer a suite of services, including a secure, MPEG-4 encoded IP stream of approximately 300 popular, broadcast-quality TV and music channels from a satellite located at 85 degrees W.L. ViP-TV can also provide satellite-delivered local TV channel aggregation in a telco's designated market area in both high definition and standard definition (where available).

"EchoStar continues to be a champion for rural TV entertainment and is excited to work with next generation IPTV providers like CT Communications," said Vernon Smith, senior vice president in charge of EchoStar's ViP-TV service. "CT Communications is taking advantage of EchoStar's significant experience in IPTV broadcasting."

For more information on ViP-TV, visit [ www.echostarviptv.com ], contact 303-706-4040 or email [ viptv@echostar.com ].

About EchoStar Satellite Services

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: [ SATS ]) and provides a reliable network available for backhaul, aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data domestically and internationally. EchoStar also offers the ViP-TV platform providing IPTV solutions. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services with nine satellites, ground-based teleport facilities, and an expansive terrestrial U.S. backhaul network along with 24-hour Satellite Access Centers. Visit [ www.echostar.com ].

About CT Communications

CT Communications Network, Inc., is a full-service, high quality telecommunications provider serving Champaign County and parts of surrounding counties in central Ohio. The company offers local phone service, calling features, long distance, wired and wireless broadband Internet access, wireless telephone service and all-digital television. CT Communications is part of the Champaign Telephone Company, an independent telephone company that has been an active member of the Champaign County/Urbana, Ohio community since 1898. For more information, call 937-653-4000 or visit [ www.ctcn.net ].