DISH Network Introduces QAM for Multiple Dwelling Units; DISH Network Offers MDU Owners Affordable Satellite Television Solution for MDU Residents.

Business and High Tech Editors

CES 2000

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2000

EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) announced today that DISH Network(TM) Commercial Television Services is the first satellite television provider in the U.S. offering Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) for Multiple Dwelling Units (MDU), a cost-effective single wire solution to provide tenants with DISH Network programming using a single dish antenna.

Used for the last five years in Europe in order to meet and exceed current infrastructure and wiring needs, QAM offers MDU owners an extremely affordable way to provide apartment complexes, townhomes, condominiums, retirement homes, dormitories and home developments with hundreds of channels of DISH Network satellite television. Tenants can receive their personalized DISH Network programming using a shared dish instead of individual dish antennas. Plus, QAM technology can be applied using the buildings' existing RG59 or RG6 cable, so there is no need for costly rewiring, which saves thousands of dollars in installation expense.

"QAM is such an incredible technological platform because it gives MDU owners the flexibility to provide digital satellite television to their residents with very minimal up-front costs," said Jim DeFranco, executive vice president of EchoStar. "MDU owners can use the building's current wiring without compromising the building's infrastructure. Plus, with QAM, tenants have the flexibility to choose their own programming and receive a bill directly from DISH Network rather than from the landlord or property owner."

DISH Network's all-digital programming packages start as low as $19.99 per month. EchoStar satellite TV receivers start as low as $99. Call 1-800/454-0837 to reach DISH Network Commercial TV Sales office or visit www.dishnetwork.com for more information.

DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network was also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. EchoStar V, EchoStar's newest high-power direct broadcast satellite, launched on a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket on Sept. 23, 1999, to the 110 degrees W.L. orbital location. In addition to local channels, EchoStar V allows DISH Network to offer 500 channels, including Dolby Digital surround sound, Internet and high-speed interactive television and data services, all on a single dish. DISH Network, which currently serves over 3.4 million customers, is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is located on the Internet at www.dishnetwork.com.