DISH Network Mobilizes Nearly 1,400 Satellite TV Technicians in Hurricane-hit Regions
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (Nov. 14, 2005) – EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) and its DISH Network continue to assist with hurricane relief, donating over $200,000 to the American Red Cross and deploying an additional 600 technicians to Hurricane Wilma-affected areas. To date, close to 1,400 DISH Network technicians and support staff from all over the country have been relocated to states hit by this year’s hurricanes, making it the largest relief effort in company history.
DISH Network’s work in Florida is the latest push in its ongoing efforts to quickly reconnect satellite TV customers as well as provide service to those left in the dark by cable TV. In October, the company constructed its first-ever “tent city” in Lake Charles, La., to provide increased response times for installing or restoring satellite TV service to areas where tens of thousands of homes were damaged by Hurricane Rita. Dubbed “Camp DISH,” the giant tent houses more than 100 technicians and support staff, allowing them to provide same-day satellite TV service to existing customers as well as cable TV subscribers who are still without service.
“We have made it a priority to mobilize technicians en masse to areas that need it most,” said Michael Kelly, EchoStar’s executive vice president. “Camp DISH is just one example of how DISH Network has been able to provide important news and entertainment channels to our customers faster than cable.”
In addition to increasing technicians in hurricane areas, on Nov. 2, Kelly, EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen and President Michael Neuman presented the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross with a $210,679.14 check, comprised of money raised by DISH Network employees nationwide, then matched by EchoStar.
Photos of Camp DISH and the Red Cross check presentation are available at this link: http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/aboutus/presskit/print_campdish/index.shtml
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.71 million satellite TV customers through its DISH NetworkÔ, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five 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. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
DISH Network’s work in Florida is the latest push in its ongoing efforts to quickly reconnect satellite TV customers as well as provide service to those left in the dark by cable TV. In October, the company constructed its first-ever “tent city” in Lake Charles, La., to provide increased response times for installing or restoring satellite TV service to areas where tens of thousands of homes were damaged by Hurricane Rita. Dubbed “Camp DISH,” the giant tent houses more than 100 technicians and support staff, allowing them to provide same-day satellite TV service to existing customers as well as cable TV subscribers who are still without service.
“We have made it a priority to mobilize technicians en masse to areas that need it most,” said Michael Kelly, EchoStar’s executive vice president. “Camp DISH is just one example of how DISH Network has been able to provide important news and entertainment channels to our customers faster than cable.”
In addition to increasing technicians in hurricane areas, on Nov. 2, Kelly, EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen and President Michael Neuman presented the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross with a $210,679.14 check, comprised of money raised by DISH Network employees nationwide, then matched by EchoStar.
Photos of Camp DISH and the Red Cross check presentation are available at this link: http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/aboutus/presskit/print_campdish/index.shtml
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.71 million satellite TV customers through its DISH NetworkÔ, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five 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. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
