Echostar Corporation

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. (nasdaq|SATS) is a technology company that is the owner and maintainer of the satellite fleet that provides the signal that DISH Network markets. The company also designs and manufactures set-top boxes to receive the Freeview (DVB-T) broadcasts in the United Kingdom, as well as receivers for Bell ExpressVu, and owns Sling Media (producers of the Slingbox TV streaming device)

The company was formerly part of EchoStar Communications Corporation before DISH Network was separated in December 2007.

History

EchoStar was originally formed in 1980 by its chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen as a distributor of C band TV systems. In 1987, EchoStar applied for a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) license with the Federal Communications Commission and was granted access to orbital slot 119° west longitude in 1992.

On 28 December, 1995, EchoStar successfully launched its first satellite, EchoStar I. That same year, EchoStar established the DISH Network brand name to market its home satellite TV system.

In 1998, EchoStar purchased the broadcasting assets of a satellite broadcasting joint venture of News Corporation's ASkyB and MCI Worldcom. With this purchase EchoStar obtained 28 of the 32 transponder licenses in the 110° W orbital slot, more than doubling existing CONUS broadcasting capacity at a value of $682.5 million. The acquisition inspired the company to introduce a multi-satellite system called DISH 500, theoretically capable of receiving more than 500 channels on one dish. In the same year, Echostar - in association with Bell Canada - launched Dish Network Canada.

On 25 September, 2007, EchoStar announced it had agreed to acquire Sling Media Inc.

On 2 January2008 the Dish Network business was demerged from the technology and infrastructure side of the business. A split in the shares created two companies, DISH Network Corporation which consists mainly of the Dish Network business, and Echostar Corporation which retains ownership of the technology side including the satellites, Sling media, and the set-top box development arm.

Satellite fleet

Orbital Locations Vary
Since EchoStar frequently moves satellites among its many orbiting slots this list is not immediately accurate.
Refer to [http://www.lyngsat.com/ Lyngsat.com] for detailed satellite information.

References

See also

*Dish Network Corporation
*Direct Broadcast Satellite

External links

* [http://www.EchoStar.com/ EchoStar homepage]
* [http://www.echostareurope.com/ EchoStar Europe]