LITTLE ROCK, Ark. & ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2005--ALLTEL (NYSE:AT) local telephone customers can sign up for EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network satellite TV service through ALLTEL beginning this summer. The TV service will be available to residential telephone customers throughout ALLTEL's 15-state wireline territory as part of a discounted bundle on a single bill provided by ALLTEL. 
 

"Adding TV service to our voice and broadband offering will provide greater value and convenience to our local telephone customers," said John Koch, president of wireline services for ALLTEL.

Customers will contact ALLTEL to order the TV service and schedule installation. The service is expected to be offered to customers later this summer. Specific pricing plans and promotional offers will be announced at that time.

"DISH Network is pleased to make its satellite TV service available to ALLTEL customers as part of a convenient, customer-friendly bundle," said Nolan Daines, executive vice president, Alliance Management at EchoStar. "We believe this package of products and services, all on one bill, will give consumers even greater motivation to switch from the high-priced world of cable."

About ALLTEL

ALLTEL is a customer-focused communications company with more than 13 million customers and $8 billion in annual revenues. ALLTEL provides wireless, local telephone, long-distance, Internet and broadband services to residential and business customers in 26 states.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), 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. 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 800-333-DISH (3474).