EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that its DISH NetworkÔ satellite television service will open its fourth satellite equipment refurbishment and repair center in Spartanburg, S.C. EchoStar plans to hire more than 1,300 additional full-time employees, following completion of the build-out of the facility located in the Fairforest Business Center near the intersection of I-85 and I-26.

"Expanding our repair operations to Spartanburg is important in keeping pace with the growth of DISH Network's customer base, and shows our commitment to providing even better service to our customers on the East Coast," said Mark Jackson, President of EchoStar Technologies.

South Carolina officials, including Governor Mark Sanford, Spartanburg County Council Chairman Jeff Horton, Spartanburg County Council Vice Chairman David Britt, Spartanburg County Economic Development Corporation CEO Carter Smith and Department of Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor, were instrumental in coordinating all local- and state-level interests to bring the center to Spartanburg.

"This announcement today by EchoStar is obviously a big win for Spartanburg County and for South Carolina," said Sanford. "Any time you add 1,300 jobs to an area, it's going to have a positive impact on that region's economy, and it's another sign of the progress we're making with respect to our job creation efforts that have already resulted in 128,000 more people working than there were three years ago."

"EchoStar's announcement is exciting news for Spartanburg County and the state of South Carolina," said Taylor. "Their decision to locate here reflects their confidence in South Carolina as a great place to do business."

"We are thrilled with this announcement, which confirms that we in Spartanburg County are taking the right steps to be a dynamic competitor in a changing economic environment," said Horton. "I have no doubt that EchoStar will find hundreds of well qualified and productive Spartanburg County residents ready and eager to help them reach their goals."

J.F. Schultze Construction Co., headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is building the 316,000-sq.-ft. facility, which Johnson Development Associates, Inc. will own and lease to EchoStar.

"We are indeed lucky to have a company of this caliber choose Spartanburg," said Johnson Development founder George Dean Johnson, Jr.

EchoStar employs approximately 20,000 employees worldwide. The new facility in Spartanburg, slated to open at the end of the summer, is EchoStar's fourth service center in the United States, joining its Denver, El Paso, Texas, and Atlanta locations. Individuals interested in learning more about Spartanburg job opportunities can visit www.dishcareers.com.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12.2 million satellite TV customers through its DISH NetworkT, 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).