Efficient Channel Coding selects NEC Electronics America as supplier for Advanced Satellite Modem Chip

Cleveland, Ohio - March 12, 2003 - Efficient Channel Coding (ECC) announced today that it has selected NEC Electronics America to supply an advanced satellite modem chip for Shin Satellite’s iPSTAR satellite system based on ECC’s design. 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.

Under the terms of the agreement, ECC will perform the logic design of the chip, and NEC Electronics America will perform the physical design and fabrication of the chip. NEC Electronics America will supply the ECC2100 chip to ECC.

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

NEC Electronics America, Inc. is a developer, manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor-based advanced technology solutions, system solutions and platform solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Electronics Corporation, the company offers a broad range of standard products, ASSPs, ASCPs, and ASICs to the North American market, all backed by outstanding technical support and the global manufacturing capabilities of its parent company. For further information see www.necelam.com