Frontier Communications Announces Strategic Alliance with EchoStar
Frontier Connectionssm bundles telephone, television and Internet
Frontier Communications and EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) today announced a strategic alliance to provide EchoStar's DISH Network(TM) digital satellite TV services to households in Frontiers' markets across the country. Now, with a single call to Frontier, customers will have DISH Network television programming as part of their new Frontier ConnectionsSM bundle, with one point of contact for customer service and ultimately a single bill for all telephone, television and High-Speed Internet services.
The Frontier offer includes a wide selection of DISH Network satellite TV packages with nearly 200 entertainment, sports, news and children's channels, and access to digital video recorders, high-definition programming, and a wide selection of international and interactive programming. Frontier customers may select digital television programming as part of an array of bundled communications services that encompass broadband High-Speed Internet access plus local, long-distance and enhanced services. There are three great bundles: Frontier Connections Advantage, Frontier Connections Premium and Frontier Connections Ultimate.
Frontier's parent company is Citizens Communications (NYSE:CZN).
"We are very excited to partner with EchoStar, a premier provider of digital TV services, to offer Frontier Connections to our customers," said Maggie Wilderotter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Communications. "This relationship strengthens our market position by putting in place the video component of a 'triple play' offering of telephone, television and High-Speed Internet. We can now offer our customers a competitively priced, high-quality digital television service that is ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates. We look forward to taking full advantage of every opportunity to continue to add value to our customer offerings."
"We're pleased with this opportunity to offer DISH Network services as part of Frontier's value-driven bundle of services," said Charles Ergen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar. "Broadband, telephone and television bundles make DISH Network even more competitive in relation to the cable companies, benefiting customers who have been searching for a cable alternative."
About Frontier and Citizens Communications
Citizens Communications Company (NYSE: CZN) is a leading provider of communications services to Rochester, N.Y. and to rural areas and small and medium-sized towns and cities under the "Frontier" brand name. In the West, Citizens also provides a variety of integrated high-speed telecommunications products through its competitive local exchange company, Electric Lightwave. More information about these companies may be found at www.czn.net, www.frontieronline.net, and www.eli.net.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, 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.buymmydish.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
