ComStream Links Up With NPR Satellite Services; NPR To Distribute ComStream Satellite Broadcast Products.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1997--ComStream Wednesday announced a distribution agreement for its line of satellite broadcast products with NPR Satellite Services of Washington, D.C., a commercial sales unit of National Public Radio's(R) distribution division.

NPR Satellite Services provides programming, distribution services and products for NPR's 570 member stations and other public and commercial radio stations and producers. Among the products to be represented by NPR is ComStream's new ABR202 digital audio receiver that can be used for radio program and news distribution, point-of-purchase audio with advertising insertion, and data broadcasting.

In 1979, NPR inaugurated the nation's first satellite delivery of radio programs. NPR and ComStream's relationship dates back to 1994 when ComStream was awarded a contract by NPR to provide a customized digital audio receiver, the ABR700, for the public radio satellite system's conversion from analog satellite transmission.

To date, ComStream has delivered nearly 3,000 of the receivers under the contract terms. The contract also included ComStream digital satellite modems and ISO/MPEG audio encoder/multiplexers for uplinking signals at 23 NPR transmission sites.

"ComStream's audio broadcast products fit nicely into our plan to expand NPR's offering of complete turnkey satellite distribution systems to small and large radio networks across the country," says George Gimourginas, director of business activities, NPR Satellite Services. "As a longtime ComStream customer, our expertise with its satellite broadcast products enhances our relationship to our customers."

"NPR is a key addition to ComStream's expanded value-added distributor channels for our broadcast products," says Richard Hercules, vice president and general manager of ComStream's Satellite Products Division. "We see this as a tremendous opportunity, combining NPR's reputation for service with the rollout of ComStream's new generation audio and data broadcast products."

Interconnecting more than 400 noncommercial radio stations in the United States and Puerto Rico, the system managed by NPR is the pipeline for distributing thousands of hours of programming from nearly 250 producers. National Public Radio Inc. is a private, not-for-profit membership organization based in Washington, D.C.

In addition to operating the satellite system for interconnected public radio stations and producers, NPR produces and distributes award-winning programming including "Morning Edition"(R) and "All Things Considered"(R) and provides member stations with support services such as marketing and communications assistance, representation before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission, and engineering training and advice.

NPR's Web site address is www.npr.org .

ComStream is an international provider of digital transmission solutions for voice, data, audio and video applications. Audio receiver customers include ABC Radio, Australian Radio Network, BBC World Service, Kmart Corp., Ministry of Radio, Film and Television (China), National Public Radio, Rogers Broadcasting (Canada), Vatican Radio, and Voice of America.

In addition to broadcast systems for private business and public networks, ComStream is world-known for its design and manufacture of full-mesh VSAT communications systems, satellite modems and earth stations, and PC satellite high-speed receiver cards. With offices in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Indonesia, China, Russia and the United Kingdom, ComStream is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spar Aerospace Ltd.

Spar, a leading Canadian advanced-technology company, is in the communications, space, aviation and defense, and software industries. Operations are located in North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim, and nearly 70 percent of revenues are derived outside Canada. It is listed on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges. Stock symbol: SPZ. Web site: www.spar.ca .

CONTACT: ComStream, San Diego

Gwen Carlson, 619/657-5780

Doug Dill, 619/657-5249

Fax: [phone]

Web: www.comstream.com