WildBlue. High-speed Internet, Out of the Blue.

WildBlue Press Release

WildBlue Announces Service to Roll Out the First Week of June
05/19/2005

First Markets Announced For New Satellite Broadband Internet Service

Denver, CO?WildBlue Communications, Inc. today announced the company?s commercial service rollout will begin the first week in June.  WildBlue will begin introducing its satellite Internet service, providing high-speed Internet connections to homes and small businesses in communities in the continental U.S. not currently served, or underserved, by other high speed providers.  As previously announced, WildBlue initially will be available through participating members of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC).

 

As part of the early rollout of WildBlue, the company has selected Bijou Telephone Cooperative (Bijou) as the NRTC member to install WildBlue?s first customer.  Bijou provides telephone and dial-up Internet services to approximately 2500 customers along the I-70 corridor from the East side of Denver to Limon, Colorado. 

 

"The time has finally come!" exclaimed Tom Moore, CEO of WildBlue.  "We?ve completed our nationwide beta test, and a whole new world of information and opportunity awaits the estimated 20 million households that do not currently have access to DSL or cable modem Internet service.  WildBlue is proud to start offering broadband services to the people of small-town America and the underserved customers in out-of-the-way pockets all across the country.  WildBlue will reach these audiences, and will bring with it the benefits of high speed Internet access they have not been able to enjoy in the past."

 

The WildBlue service will be rolled out by NRTC members during the month of June, eventually being offered by over 280 rural electric and telephone companies by the end of the month.  WildBlue plans to add rural consumer electronics and satellite TV dealers across the country over the following few months, and expects to reach national availability of its service by the end of the third quarter 2005.

 

The company will offer three basic service packages to consumers and small businesses:  Value Pack - $49.95 per month for speeds up to 512 kbps; Select Pack - $69.95 per month for speeds up to 1.0 Mbps; and Pro Pack - $79.95 per month for speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.  All packages include ISP services including email and web space, the WildBlue Portal, featuring the latest news, information and entertainment, customer care, and an equipment warranty.  WildBlue will initially offer its equipment package for $299.00 and professional installation for $179.95.  Free installation will be offered by NRTC members as a special rollout promotion.

 

An always-on broadband Internet connection, WildBlue's wireless service provides 2-way wireless high-speed data in both directions.  Customers will not need an additional phone or cable line or the expense of a traditional dial-up ISP in order to receive broadband Internet access. The service is easy to install, and requires no software installation on customers? computers.

 

Consumer and businesses who are interested in obtaining WildBlue?s high speed Internet service, should visit www.wildblue.com.  Customers or media outlets interested in following the launch progress should visit the media section on WildBlue website to register for updates.  For a listing of NRTC members and the geographic territories that they will serve, please visit the NRTC WildBlue dealer locator.

About WildBlue
WildBlue Communications, Inc. was established to provide broadband access to consumers and small offices in rural areas and small cities. WildBlue Communication's high-speed satellite broadband service is easy to use, reliable, always on, and significantly faster than standard dial-up service.  It opens up a window to a world of rich content that is largely unavailable through dial-up service and is accessible in areas traditionally unserved by cable modem or DSL service. Service is available in the continental United States. For more information visit www.wildblue.com. 

Media Contact Information

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