Efficient Channel Coding and iPSTAR sign a Development and Supply Agreement for and Advanced iPSTAR Modem ASIC

Cleveland, Ohio - February 6, 2003 – Efficient Channel Coding today announced that ECC and iPSTAR (an affiliate of Shin Satellite Public Company Limited) have signed a Development and Supply Agreement for next generation iPSTAR chips. The chip, the ECC2100, will allow a dramatic cost reduction in the Bill of Materials for the iPSTAR user terminals, resulting in price points that are attractive consumers and small business.

The ECC2100 implements ECC’s advanced digital satellite modem functions that include the processing of variable modulation and advanced forward error correction formats “on-the-fly” without loss of data due to resynchronization. This key feature allows the iPSTAR system to dynamically assign resources to individual user terminal in an optimal fashion, resulting in significantly improved utilization of satellite resources.

“With the significant price reduction associated with an ASIC implementation, the iPSTAR terminals will have a large price advantage over satellite competitors, and will be able to compete directly with both cable and DSL solutions,” says Mark Thompson, President of Codespace, LLC.

Under the terms of the agreement, ECC will design and supply the chip to the iPSTAR system.

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.

Codespace was formed in 1996 to design advanced broadband satellite systems. Codespace holds key patents in the field of broadband satellites and broadband systems communications which enable satellite system designs to achieve an unprecedented 40 Gbps capacity, supporting cost effective broadband service to millions of subscribers. In 1997, Codespace contracted with Shin Satellite of Thailand to design and oversee the build of a state-of-the-art Internet and video delivery platform now known as the “iPSTAR Asia” broadband system. The spacecraft, iPSTAR–1 is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2004 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. Codespace can be contacted at (541) 386-1924

iPSTAR Inc. is the owner of the iPSTAR Asia Broadband Satellite System, currently in operation in many Asian countries. Founded in 1999, iPSTAR is majority owned by Shin Satellite of Thailand and has contracted with Space Systems/Loral for the construction of the iPSTAR-1, the largest commercial communications satellite ever built. The satellite is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2004, greatly enhancing the iPSTAR system capacity, currently supported by the Thaicom 3 satellite.