2003 Press Releases

12/15/03 : WildBlue and Raven Announce Equipment Agreement for New Ka-Band Satellite Service :

DENVER, December 15, 2003 - WildBlue Communications, Inc., an emerging wireless broadband company, and Raven Manufacturing, Ltd., a manufacturer known for high specification antennas, jointly announced today an agreement whereby Raven will be designing, qualifying and producing the outdoor satellite receiver equipment (or "Outdoor Unit") for WildBlue's high-speed Internet service. Expected to launch their satellite broadband service second quarter of 2005, WildBlue established a relationship with Raven to produce, test and ship all components to the United States, where they will also be responsible for final assembly, packaging, storage and delivery to WildBlue. Specific financial and product quantity information has not been made public.

Based upon specifically designed and tested specifications for the Ka-band antenna, Raven will be using a WildBlue-patented antenna design that operates at both Ka and Ku bands. The novel method of separating out signals from closely-spaced satellites at the two frequency bands is expected to set standards for future designs. The rigidity and surface accuracy of the antenna, including the pointing mechanisms for Ka-band, are major construction features in this new antenna design. The first units are due to WildBlue in early 2004.

"We are delighted to be working with WildBlue on such an exciting new project that utilizes state-of-the-art system designs and technology," said Anthony Whitehead, Chief Executive of Raven. "We are proud that Raven has been chosen as the designer and manufacturer of what is expected to be the first U.S. Ka-band commercial satellite broadband service. We are on target with the design and development process thus far and will be meeting the rigid production timetable in front of us."

"Raven's talented and innovative Research and Development department, equipped with the latest mechanical and RF design software, together with their world class manufacturing standards were key elements in our selection process," said Thomas Moore, CEO of WildBlue. "We will be working very closely with the Raven team over the next year to design, scale, test and deploy the equipment as WildBlue's service launch gets underway."

Raven's new U.S.-based facility in Chicago will act as a support, warehousing and distribution point for the units once they are completed and shipped from Raven's main manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom.

WildBlue is expected to be the first to launch a commercial service using the Ka-band spot beam satellite technology designed to lower the cost of providing consumers high-speed Internet access via satellite. The WildBlue system will also utilize terrestrial cable modem technology, resulting in lower customer equipment and installation costs -- a critical requirement in satellite-based consumer services. WildBlue's service is designed to be especially appealing to the millions of homes and small offices in small cities and rural America that lack access to DSL or cable modem service.

11/24/03 : WildBlue Announces Appointment Of New President and COO :

DENVER, November 24, 2003 - WildBlue Communications, Inc., an emerging wireless broadband company, announced today the appointment of Ken Carroll to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer. Approved by the company's Board of Directors, Mr. Carroll is responsible for establishing the company's operational and sales structures in preparation for WildBlue's service launch next year. The company has plans to deliver a two-way wireless broadband service via satellite, direct to homes and small offices throughout the contiguous United States, beginning second quarter of 2005.

Mr. Carroll joins WildBlue from his position as President and Chief Financial Officer at Liberty Satellite & Technology, Inc., where he spent 4 years managing the operations and finances of the satellite company. Mr. Carroll previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PRIMESTAR, Inc., a satellite TV service purchased by DirecTV in 2000. Mr. Carroll had been a member of WildBlue's Board of Directors prior to his appointment as President.

"After being supportive as a Board member for several years, it is the right time to have Ken join the WildBlue team full time as we prepare in earnest for our service launch next year," said Tom Moore, Chief Executive Officer of WildBlue. "Ken brings with him developed financial and operational expertise in both the telecommunications and satellite industries, which will be very valuable in the continued building of our infrastructure and services."

"WildBlue has a dynamic and innovative team that I am excited to be a part of," said Carroll. "In this highly competitive environment, we'll be focusing our efforts on an economical package of broadband services that will be available to the rural communities across the country, bringing the benefits of broadband access via satellite to homes and businesses that aren't currently part of a core market."

WildBlue is expected to be the first to launch a commercial service using the Ka-band spot beam satellite technology designed to lower the cost of providing consumers high-speed Internet access via satellite. The WildBlue system will also utilize terrestrial cable modem technology, resulting in lower customer equipment and installation costs -- a critical requirement in satellite-based consumer services. WildBlue's service is designed to be especially appealing to the millions of homes and small offices in small cities and rural America that lack access to DSL or cable modem service.

WildBlue has also augmented its management team with several key hires. Jim Elliot has been hired as Vice President of Infrastructure, responsible for meeting WildBlue's system procurement and implementation goals through contractual and technical management of the space segment, ground segment gateways and customer premise equipment. In addition, Mr. Elliot is responsible for WildBlue's import/export compliance. Mr. Elliot comes to WildBlue from Ball Aerospace's Commercial Space Operations business unit. Prior to that, Mr. Elliot was a Program Manager with Lockheed Martin for 12 years, covering 11 Atlas commercial launch missions.

Thad Mazurczyk has been hired as Vice President of Engineering, responsible for all engineering functions at WildBlue. Mr. Mazurczyk was previously Senior Vice President of Technology for High Speed Access Corp. Mr. Mazurczyk also spent more than nine years as the Vice President of Engineering at PRIMESTAR.

WildBlue has hired Randy Thompson as Vice President of Space Systems, responsible for WildBlue's satellites, satellite launch services and satellite management systems. Mr. Thompson comes to WildBlue from Liberty Satellite, where he held the position of Vice President of Advanced Technology. Prior to this position, Mr. Thompson spent 17 years working for Raytheon Corporation (formerly Hughes Aircraft Company).

Also joining WildBlue are Patrick Bailey as Director of Information Technology, Joe Ducey as Gateway Director and Lisa Gillenwaters as Director of Operations Analysis.

08/25/03 : NRTC to Offer WildBlue Satellite Broadband Services :

National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Members To Offer Affordable Wireless High-Speed Internet Access To Rural America in 2005

DENVER, August 25, 2003 - WildBlue Communications, Inc. and the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced today a distribution partnership whereby NRTC Members will offer WildBlue's two-way satellite broadband service in the continental United States. WildBlue enables customers virtually anywhere in the continental United States to get high-speed Internet service via satellite. NRTC membership includes over 1,100 rural telephone and electric companies. NRTC members will begin marketing the WildBlue broadband service to homes and small offices second quarter of 2005.

"We are confident that WildBlue is the best solution to deliver affordable high-speed satellite Internet access to rural America," said Bob Phillips, NRTC president and CEO. "Our members will be the first to deliver affordable two-way broadband services to rural Americans lacking access to DSL or cable modem service. A solid and loyal distribution network will be key to a successful 2005 WildBlue rollout and we are pleased to bring the proven experience of our rural electric and telco members in distributing satellite-delivered services to this effort. With WildBlue and NRTC, virtually every home and small business in the continental United States will finally have access to the most advanced telecommunications services available."

Under the distribution agreement, NRTC members will be responsible for sales, installation and customer care for the WildBlue-branded service. WildBlue will deliver affordable two-way wireless broadband services via satellite, direct to homes and small offices, throughout the continental United States second quarter of 2005. WildBlue is expected to be the first to launch the Ka-band spot beam satellite technology designed to lower the cost of providing consumers high-speed Internet access via satellite. The WildBlue system also will leverage proven terrestrial cable modem technology, resulting in lower customer equipment and installation costs; a critical requirement in satellite-based consumer services. WildBlue's service should be especially appealing to the millions of homes and small offices that lack access to DSL or cable modem service.

NRTC was one of the lead investors in WildBlue's recent $156 million financing, along with Liberty Satellite & Technology, Inc. (LSAT) (OTC: LSTTA and LSTTB) and Intelsat (www.Intelsat.com).

"We are delighted about our relationship with NRTC and look forward to working with them to serve broadband customers throughout the continental U.S.," said Thomas Moore, CEO of WildBlue. "The NRTC and its members are ideal partners to deliver telecommunications services to rural homes and small offices. We look forward to our combined success in distributing the WildBlue high-speed Internet service when we launch next year."

About the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
NRTC supports more than 1,100 rural utilities in delivering telecommunications and information technology solutions to their communities. Building on a strong foundation of community service and dedication, NRTC works - as a cooperative - to ensure that rural Americans share equally in the benefits of the digital age.

04/22/03 : $156 Million Investment In WildBlue Closes, Led By Liberty Satellite, Intelsat and NRTC :

WildBlue funded through 2004 launch of affordable satellite broadband service

DENVER, April 22, 2003 - WildBlue Communications today announced that Liberty Satellite & Technology, Inc. (LSAT) (OTC: LSTTA and LSTTB), Intelsat, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and @Contact LLC have invested $156 million in the company. Liberty Satellite and Kleiner Perkins are existing shareholders. Intelsat and NRTC are new investors in WildBlue and will join the board of directors as part of this investment. @Contact is a new investor. This transaction was previously announced in December 2002.

"This large investment in WildBlue, in the face of tough financial markets, is a strong endorsement of WildBlue's business model and ability to revolutionize wireless broadband. WildBlue will change the consumer broadband market making affordable high-speed Internet access available to virtually every home and small business in the contiguous United States," said Thomas Moore, chief executive officer of WildBlue. "We are now able to complete our investment in the space and ground infrastructure to allow us to launch our service in 2005."

WildBlue will deliver affordable two-way wireless broadband services via satellite, direct to homes and small offices, throughout the contiguous United States in 2005. WildBlue is expected to be the first to launch the Ka-band spot beam satellite technology designed to lower the cost of providing consumers high-speed Internet access via satellite. The WildBlue system also will leverage proven terrestrial cable modem technology, resulting in lower customer equipment and installation costs, a critical requirement in satellite-based consumer services. WildBlue's service should be especially appealing to the millions of homes and small offices that lack access to DSL or cable modem service.

WildBlue initially will offer its services using its license for the U.S. Ka-band payload aboard Telesat Canada's Anik F2 satellite, being built by Boeing and scheduled to launch in late 2003 into the 111.1� WL orbital location. Based on future financing, WildBlue plans to subsequently launch its own satellite, WildBlue-1, being manufactured by Space Systems Loral, into WildBlue's 109.2� WL orbital location. Andrew Corporation has been contracted to construct WildBlue's earth gateways.

"We believe that retail satellite broadband services in North America will be an important component of future growth in the fixed satellite services industry," said Conny Kullman, CEO of Intelsat, Ltd. "Millions of rural residents and small offices have no access to high-quality, affordable broadband service comparable to that available in urban areas. We have great confidence in WildBlue's strategic plan and believe it represents a key opportunity for Intelsat to capitalize on this market gap."

"NRTC's investment in WildBlue's technology platform will help enable rural America to receive the most advanced telecommunication services available," said Bob Phillips, NRTC president and chief executive officer. "Our electric and telco members have successfully provided other leading-edge telecommunications solutions, such as DIRECTV and Ku-band satellite Internet, to their customers and we are confident a similar effort will be a key to WildBlue's future success."

"Intelsat, Liberty Satellite, and NRTC are three of the most important strategic relationships we could have chosen. WildBlue is especially pleased to strengthen our partnership with existing investor Liberty Satellite, and to begin our relationships with Intelsat, the world's premier satellite services provider, and NRTC, the foremost distribution partner for rural America." said Thomas Moore, WildBlue CEO.

Intelsat offers telephony, corporate network, video and Internet solutions in approximately 200 countries via capacity on 26 geosynchronous satellites and a global terrestrial network. Liberty Satellite pursues strategic opportunities worldwide in the distribution of Internet data and other content via satellite and related businesses. NRTC supports more than 1,000 rural utilities in delivering telecommunications and information technology solutions to their communities. @Contact is a Colorado based company providing comprehensive broadcast, streaming and data services using fiber, microwave and satellite technologies from its secure mountain location. Kleiner Perkins is a leading venture capital partnership.

In addition to the new investors, WildBlue's strategic investors include:
TeleSat - www.Telesat.ca
EchoStar - www.EchoStar.com
Gemstar / TV Guide - www.TVGuide.com
TRW - www.TRW.com
Arianespace - www.Arianespace.com