CTE Announces Strategic Alliance With EchoStar
DALLAS, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2004--Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("CTE") (NASDAQ:CTCO), and EchoStar Communications Corporation ("EchoStar") (NASDAQ: DISH), today announced a strategic alliance to provide EchoStar's DISH Network(TM) satellite TV services to households in the existing combined footprint of CTE's two primary operations: Commonwealth Telephone Company ("CT") and CTSI, LLC ("CTSI"). This relationship enables CTE to offer its customers digital television programming as part of an array of communications services, which will include broadband DSL high-speed Internet access plus local, long-distance and call management wireline voice services (e.g., Caller ID and Voice Mail). CTE and EchoStar expect to launch a variety of digital video packages as part of CTE's bundled service offerings beginning in the first quarter of 2005.
The CTE offer will include a wide selection of DISH Network packages that provide customers with access to more than 500 entertainment, sports, news and children's channels, plus access to its digital video recorders, high-definition systems and a wide selection of international and interactive programming.
"We are excited to join with EchoStar, a premier provider of digital video services, to offer an exciting new set of bundled products to our residential customers," said DG Gulati, CTE's senior vice president - corporate development. "Our alliance puts the last piece of the 'triple play' - voice, video and data - in place for us, and further strengthens our position in the markets we serve. The alliance also facilitates broad market coverage of a competitively priced, high-quality digital video product, as well as timely speed-to-market with a very low, upfront capital expenditure requirement."
By making a single call to CTE, customers will be able to add DISH Network programming to their CTE bundle, with one point of contact for customer service and a single bill for all of their voice, video and data (broadband) services.
"We're pleased with this opportunity to offer DISH Network services as part of CTE's value-driven bundle of services," said Nolan Daines, executive vice president, Alliance Management at EchoStar. "The bundle that includes DSL broadband and voice services will make DISH Network even more competitive in relation to the cable companies, further benefiting customers who have been searching for an alternative."
CTE customers who subscribe to the offer will be eligible for DISH Network promotions and other offers from time to time, such as the Digital Home Advantage plan and its whole-home, multiple-TV solution that requires no commitment, no hardware to buy and offers local channels where available, all for one low price.
About CTE
Headquartered in Dallas, PA, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., serves a growing base of business and residential customers with the full array of technologically advanced data and voice telecommunications products and services, including broadband data services and high-speed Internet access, delivered over its 100% digitally switched, fiber-rich network.
CTE's primary operating segments are: Commonwealth Telephone Company ("CT"), the nation's seventh largest publicly held independent local exchange carrier, which has been operating in various rural Pennsylvania markets since 1897; and, CTSI, LLC ("CTSI"), a local exchange carrier operating in competitive markets outside CT's territory, that formally commenced operations in 1997. Jack Flash(R), a broadband data service that uses DSL technology to offer high-speed Internet access and digital connectivity solutions, is offered throughout CTE's service territories. CTE's support businesses include epi
R) Internet Services (www.epix.net), one of the Northeast's largest rural Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"), and Commonwealth Communications, a provider of telecommunications equipment and facilities management services.
A web site featuring current information regarding Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., can be found on the Internet at www.ct-enterprises.com.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 10.1 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last four years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in customer satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results in the future and cause them to be different from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties related to the Company's ability to further penetrate its markets and the related costs of that effort, economic conditions, acquisitions and divestitures, government and regulatory policies, the pricing and availability of equipment, materials and inventories, technological developments, reductions in rates or traffic that is subject to access charges, changes in the competitive environment in which the Company operates and receipt of necessary approvals.
DALLAS, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2004--Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("CTE") (NASDAQ:CTCO), and EchoStar Communications Corporation ("EchoStar") (NASDAQ: DISH), today announced a strategic alliance to provide EchoStar's DISH Network(TM) satellite TV services to households in the existing combined footprint of CTE's two primary operations: Commonwealth Telephone Company ("CT") and CTSI, LLC ("CTSI"). This relationship enables CTE to offer its customers digital television programming as part of an array of communications services, which will include broadband DSL high-speed Internet access plus local, long-distance and call management wireline voice services (e.g., Caller ID and Voice Mail). CTE and EchoStar expect to launch a variety of digital video packages as part of CTE's bundled service offerings beginning in the first quarter of 2005.
The CTE offer will include a wide selection of DISH Network packages that provide customers with access to more than 500 entertainment, sports, news and children's channels, plus access to its digital video recorders, high-definition systems and a wide selection of international and interactive programming.
"We are excited to join with EchoStar, a premier provider of digital video services, to offer an exciting new set of bundled products to our residential customers," said DG Gulati, CTE's senior vice president - corporate development. "Our alliance puts the last piece of the 'triple play' - voice, video and data - in place for us, and further strengthens our position in the markets we serve. The alliance also facilitates broad market coverage of a competitively priced, high-quality digital video product, as well as timely speed-to-market with a very low, upfront capital expenditure requirement."
By making a single call to CTE, customers will be able to add DISH Network programming to their CTE bundle, with one point of contact for customer service and a single bill for all of their voice, video and data (broadband) services.
"We're pleased with this opportunity to offer DISH Network services as part of CTE's value-driven bundle of services," said Nolan Daines, executive vice president, Alliance Management at EchoStar. "The bundle that includes DSL broadband and voice services will make DISH Network even more competitive in relation to the cable companies, further benefiting customers who have been searching for an alternative."
CTE customers who subscribe to the offer will be eligible for DISH Network promotions and other offers from time to time, such as the Digital Home Advantage plan and its whole-home, multiple-TV solution that requires no commitment, no hardware to buy and offers local channels where available, all for one low price.
About CTE
Headquartered in Dallas, PA, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., serves a growing base of business and residential customers with the full array of technologically advanced data and voice telecommunications products and services, including broadband data services and high-speed Internet access, delivered over its 100% digitally switched, fiber-rich network.
CTE's primary operating segments are: Commonwealth Telephone Company ("CT"), the nation's seventh largest publicly held independent local exchange carrier, which has been operating in various rural Pennsylvania markets since 1897; and, CTSI, LLC ("CTSI"), a local exchange carrier operating in competitive markets outside CT's territory, that formally commenced operations in 1997. Jack Flash(R), a broadband data service that uses DSL technology to offer high-speed Internet access and digital connectivity solutions, is offered throughout CTE's service territories. CTE's support businesses include epi
R) Internet Services (www.epix.net), one of the Northeast's largest rural Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"), and Commonwealth Communications, a provider of telecommunications equipment and facilities management services. A web site featuring current information regarding Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., can be found on the Internet at www.ct-enterprises.com.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 10.1 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last four years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in customer satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results in the future and cause them to be different from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties related to the Company's ability to further penetrate its markets and the related costs of that effort, economic conditions, acquisitions and divestitures, government and regulatory policies, the pricing and availability of equipment, materials and inventories, technological developments, reductions in rates or traffic that is subject to access charges, changes in the competitive environment in which the Company operates and receipt of necessary approvals.
