WildBlue Completes Agreement to Lease Ka-band Capacity From EchoStar

By: PR Newswire

Mar. 26, 2009 11:52 AM

Additional Capacity Will Allow WildBlue to Serve More Customers In High-Demand Rural Areas in U.S. through 2009 and Beyond.

DENVER, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- WildBlue and EchoStar Satellite Services, a division of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) today announced that the two companies have completed an agreement for WildBlue to lease additional Ka-band capacity from EchoStar. This additional capacity comes from EchoStar's currently leased in-space satellites.

WildBlue anticipates additional capacity will become available in the second half of 2009, delivering the same speeds and quality of service enjoyed by current WildBlue customers. New customers who are provisioned on the new capacity from EchoStar will have the same WildBlue package options available to them and use the same equipment as current WildBlue customers.

"This agreement with EchoStar allows us to keep pace with the increasing demand for WildBlue broadband service in rural America today," said David Leonard, CEO of WildBlue. "As the demand for high-speed Internet service in remote areas continues to grow, we intend to utilize every resource available to us to provide the capacity to meet that demand. This is just a first step in our plan to add more capacity to the WildBlue network. There are additional options currently being explored."

According to WildBlue, the additional capacity will allow its dealer network to continue selling high-speed broadband access in many areas of the continental U.S. where customer demand has been highest. WildBlue is currently working on adding additional capacity to its network to meet the demands in future years.

To find out more about WildBlue's fast, reliable Internet service call 1-866-WILDBLUE (1-866-945-3258) or visit www.wildblue.com.

About WildBlue

WildBlue Communications, Inc. was established to provide broadband access to consumers and small offices in rural areas and small cities. Service is available in the contiguous United States. More information on the company is available at www.wildblue.com.

About EchoStar Satellite Services

EchoStar Satellite Services is a business unit of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) and provides a highly reliable network that is available for backhaul, aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data content domestically and internationally. EchoStar also offers the ViP-TV platform providing IPTV solutions for telco and cable operators. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services with access to a fleet of eight satellites, sophisticated ground-based teleport facilities, and an expansive terrestrial backhaul network crisscrossing the U.S. along with 24-hour Traffic, Technical Operations and Satellite Access Centers staffed by highly trained engineers and technicians. For more information on EchoStar Satellite Services or for occasional or full time satellite bandwidth, contact 866-359-8804 or email efss@echostar.com.

Press Contacts:

WildBlue: Bryan Bjerke, Paulsen Marketing, 605-336-1745, bryan@paulsenmarketing.com

EchoStar: Marc Lumpkin, 303-706-5236, marc.lumpkin@echostar.com.

SOURCE WildBlue Communications, Inc.