EchoStar Acquires European Mobile Satellite Services Provider

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ: SATS) announced today that it has acquired 100% ownership of Solaris Mobile Ltd., a next-generation mobile satellite services (MSS) operator based in Dublin, Ireland and one of the European Union licensees of mobile satellite service with a complementary ground component (S band).

Solaris Mobile Ltd. is deploying a satellite and terrestrial network for wholesale access to enhanced mobile communications across Europe in the 30 MHz S band licensed to Solaris Mobile. In connection with the acquisition, EchoStar has entered into an agreement with Solaris Mobile to provide it with MSS capacity on a new next-generation MSS satellite.

"Through this acquisition and our mobile satellite infrastructure expertise, we look forward to accelerating advanced mobile services throughout the European Union," said Anders Johnson, president, EchoStar Satellite Services. "We are excited to build upon the groundwork laid by Solaris Mobile by most immediately bringing with us access to a next generation MSS satellite which will support a wide range of innovative services across the European Union."

About Solaris Mobile
Solaris Mobile, a joint venture between Eutelsat and SES, was set up in 2008 to develop next generation mobile communication services. In May 2009, the European Commission awarded Solaris Mobile the right to operate satellite & terrestrial services in S-Band in all EU member states. S-Band is spectrum in the 2GHz band and is adjacent to UMTS used by mobile 3G operators. 

For more information, please visit http://www.solarismobile.com.

About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite operations and video delivery solutions. EchoStar's wholly-owned subsidiary, Hughes, is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband services, delivering network technologies and managed services for enterprise and government customers in more than 100 countries.

Headquartered in Englewood, CO, with additional business units world-wide, EchoStar is a multiple Emmy award-winning company that has pioneered advancements in the set-top box and satellite industries for nearly 30 years, consistently delivering value for customers, partners and investors through innovation and outstanding quality. EchoStar's contribution to video technology continues to have a major influence on the way consumers view, receive and manage TV programming. EchoStar's consumer solutions include HughesNet®, North America's #1 high-speed satellite Internet service, Sling Media's Slingbox® products, and EchoStar's line of set-top box products for the free-to-air satellite and terrestrial markets.

For more information, visit www.echostar.com