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Home , Satellite dish, StarBand

EchoStar's Now Offers StarBand Service From Select Retailers Nationwide

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2001--

DISH Network Demonstrates First U.S. High-Speed, Two-way Satellite

Internet Service Combined With Satellite TV Programming From Single

Dish at 2001 Consumer Electronics Show

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH, DISHP) announced today at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that DISH Network™ is now offering StarBand, a single dish solution for both DISH Network satellite TV and StarBand's two-way, high speed satellite Internet access.

DISH Network retailers are currently taking orders from customers and scheduling installations.

DISH Network and StarBand are the first to offer consumers complete single-dish hardware and services for two-way, high- speed Internet access combined with hundreds of channels of satellite TV programming. DISH Network retailers will simplify the consumer experience by providing complete installation of the satellite receiver, a StarBand Model 180 , and a single dish . The StarBand Model 180 modem connects to a PC via a standard USB interface and is compatible with PCs with at least a Pentium-class processor and is operating with Microsoft® Windows98, Windows98SE, Windows2000 or WindowsMe.

For new customers who subscribe to a qualifying DISH Network programming package and commit to one year of StarBand Internet service, the StarBand and StarBand Model 180 USB modem will be available for $449 MSRP. A standard professional installation for the StarBand dish will start at $199. DISH Network will offer a special bundled price of $99.99 per month for customers who subscribe to both DISH Network's America's Top 150 programming package and the StarBand Internet service, a savings of $10 per month. DISH Network satellite TV receivers are available for an additional cost starting at $99 or for FREE through DISH Network's Digital Dynamite program.

StarBand customers can expect Internet access speeds up to 500 kilobits per second, which is up to 10 times faster than standard dial-up modem speeds. Two-way satellite service offers significant benefits for consumers, including a persistent or "always-on" connection that saves time over dial-up and eliminates the need for a second telephone line. StarBand customers will also receive standard ISP services including e-mail services with up to 10 addresses and 50 megabytes of storage, news groups and access to the StarBand home page. For more information about PC requirements, visit www..com.

Already hundreds of select DISH Network retailers can install a unique, single dish that can simultaneously "see" satellite signals from three different orbital locations. The StarBand dish, 24 inches tall by 36 inches wide, is capable of receiving and sending Internet data while at the same time receiving DISH Network channels. DISH Network channels include the same services customers enjoy today from DISH Network's DISH 500 system, such as local channels, interactive channels and hundreds of channels of programming.

"DISH Network is proud to partner with StarBand and lead the industry in offering the first bundled satellite TV and satellite Internet access on a single dish," said , CEO and chairman of EchoStar. "This highly needed service will bridge the digital divide for more than 50 million American households that do not have access today to a cable modem or DSL service. With DISH Network's brand name and customer service behind it, StarBand will have the same technological advancements and affordability that our DISH Network customers have grown accustomed to."

StarBand service from DISH Network is available from qualified DISH retailers for installation in residential locations in the continental United States. StarBand and DISH Network plan to offer a combined satellite TV and satellite Internet service to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico later in 2001. To find a DISH Network retailer near you that offers StarBand equipment and sales or to find more information about DISH Network products, programming and promotions, visit www.dishnetwork.com.

DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as advanced satellite TV receiver hardware and installation. DISH Network was ranked number one in overall customer satisfaction among cable/satellite TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates in 1999 and 2000. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is headquartered in Littleton, Colo. DISH Network currently serves over 5 million customers.

StarBand Communications (formerly known as Gilat-To-Home Inc.) is a joint venture of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Microsoft Corp., EchoStar Communications Corporation, and ING Furman Selz Investments. StarBand Communications is based in McLean, Va. Visit StarBand at www.starband.com.

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corp. Judianne Atencio, 303/723-2010 judianne.atencio@.com or Marc Lumpkin, 303/723-2020 [email protected]