EchoStar to Rollout Internet, Interactive Services
In addition, EchoStar expects to begin offering high speed Internet service on a single satellite dish later this year through an agreement with Gilat Satellite Networks, an Israeli-based provider of interactive broadband data services.
The announcements were made today at EchoStar's annual conference for DISH retailers in Denver.
EchoStar's joint venture with OpenTV expands on its 1998 agreement, in which the two companies began work on developing the interactive software and expanding memory capability for DISH receivers. Today's announcement detailed the addition of a hard drive to the box as well as the offering of new services, including local weather data and picture in picture (PIP) features to be offered on a low-cost receiver, expected to be on the market by Q4.
To help finance the joint venture, OpenTV also agreed to issue approximately 2,250,000 shares of OpenTV stock to EchoStar.
As early as this spring, existing DISH Network customers with certain receivers may be able to begin accessing OpenTV interactive services that do not require a hard drive. EchoStar currently offers hard drive recording capability on its WebTV enabled set-tops. The DISH Network is the second largest satellite broadcaster in the US, with 3.4 million customers.
Under the Gilat agreement, DISH Network customers will be able to access two-way Internet service at speeds up to 10 times faster than dial up via a single oblong dish, measuring 24 inches by 36 inches. Customers will be able to receive DISH's core network programming, local channels and Internet services via the one dish. Limited availability of the service is expected by the end of the year.
Edited by Tom Butts