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EchoStar's ViP-TV to Deliver Video Transport Service to Wyoming-Based IPTV Provider TCT WEST

^{Published on 2009-11-09 05:17:30 - 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 TCT WEST, INC., a provider of digital television programming in Wyoming. TCT will receive transport of up to 42 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.

TCT is a telecommunications service provider supplying traditional and digital telephone, high-speed Internet and television services to several communities in Northwestern Wyoming as well as high-speed Internet and digital telephone services to several communities in Southeastern Montana. TCT sought a platform that would enable it to offer competitive video services using its existing IP network.

"EchoStar delivers a customized video solution we were seeking, including IP-encapsulated, high quality HD channels that let us expand our range of popular HD programming easily without a complex integration effort," said Richard Wardell, Network Manager at TCT. "EchoStar's ViP-TV transport service meets our IP requirements and offers unsurpassed video quality at competitive pricing."

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 has a long history of serving the broadcast needs of rural communities, and we are excited about working with IPTV companies like TCT," said Vernon Smith, senior vice president in charge of EchoStar's ViP-TV service. "Our ViP-TV service leverages EchoStar's significant investment in broadcast infrastructure with the latest in IPTV delivery technology."

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 IPTV solutions through its ViP-TV platform. 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 TCT

TCT is a leading telecommunications service provider, supplying traditional and digital telephone, high-speed Internet and television services to several communities in Northwestern Wyoming as well as high-speed Internet and digital telephone services to several communities in Southeastern Montana. TCT began in 1956 when Tri County Telephone Association, Inc., a rural cooperative, began providing dial-tone to four exchanges in the rural Big Horn Basin area of Wyoming. In 1994, Tri County Telephone acquired seven additional exchanges in the Big Horn Basin from US West and formed the subsidiary TCT WEST, INC. to serve those customers. TCT has been providing Internet access for over 15 years, digital television service for nearly 10 years including IPTV service since 2004, and high-definition content and DVR features since 2008. Visit [ www.tctwest.net ].