Efficient Channel Coding adds Voice Over IP capability to its iPSTAR Satellite Modems. Further Multimedia capabilities are on the way

Cleveland, Ohio - February 18, 2003 - Efficient Channel Coding (ECC), announced today that due to demand, it has added Voice over IP (VoIP) capability to its iPSTAR Consumer Satellite Modems. “VoIP is particularly useful in remote locations or locations where the terrestrial infrastructure is unreliable, i.e. the Consumer Satellite Modem provides instant infrastructure. In addition to VoIP, we are presently adding additional multimedia capabilities to further enhance the available service options for the consumer”, says COO of ECC, Frank Schossler.

The Consumer Satellite Modem is designed to utilize ECC’s highly efficient air interface technology currently deployed on Shin Satellite’s iPSTAR system. The iPSTAR system will deliver high-speed internet services via satellite, at speeds of 10 Mb/s and 4 Mb/s respectively to and from the user. The second generation of this system will consist of 92 Ku-spot beams over Asia and a data capacity of more than 35 Gb/s. Asia is the part of the world where the number of Internet users is increasing the most, and satellites will be crucial in the development of this service as ground-based technologies have yet to make much headway.

Efficient Channel Coding, Inc. (ECC) provides advanced physical layer electronic components, subsystems, and intellectual property. The company is dedicated to delivering high capacity solutions that offer scalability and significant cost reductions in today's advanced optical, wireless, and satellite networks. ECC technology is currently being used in wide range of networks embodied as Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Arrays, and Programmable Digital Signal Processors. ECC's key, patented IP enables these implementations with scalability to Gbps data rates. In addition to current product offerings, ECC is developing new, forward-looking products that offer standards-based integration and best-in-class performance in targeted markets. More information on ECC is available on the Internet at http://www.efficientchannelcoding.com.

Shin Satellite Public Company Limited is a satellite operator offering C-band and Ku-band services for clients in Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia. Shin Satellite owns and operates Thaicom 1A, 2 and 3. Thaicom 1A is situated 120 degrees east, while Thaicom 2 and 3 are both situated 78,5 degrees east with a total capacity of 49 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders and supplies more than 70 channels. Thaicom satellites offer broadcasting services largely in Indo-China and India but with customers extending from Europe to Australia. Shin Satellite is listed on the Thai Stock Exchange.

For further information: www.thaicom.net