SBCA AND ICTA ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO EXPAND RESOURCES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR MDU MARKET

--Two Associations Will Cooperatively Market Education and Exhibition Opportunities--

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 8, 1999 -- The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) and the Independent Cable & Telecommunications Association (ICTA) today announced a strategic alliance in which the two associations will work cooperatively to create new resources, expand educational programs and broaden public policy capabilities for the Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) market. Additionally, ICTA and SBCA will cooperatively market and develop special exhibition and educational opportunities for MDU companies and those providing service to MDUs at SBCA’99 - National Satellite Convention & Exposition, July 19-21, in Las Vegas.

"The MDU market holds tremendous growth opportunities for the DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) industry in 1999 and we believe now is the time to include MDU companies in our organization," noted SBCA President Chuck Hewitt. "As the principal trade association for the private cable industry, ICTA is uniquely qualified to bring the experience and resources needed to help efficiently grow our new MDU segment and provide our satellite retailers with the best MDU information available."

"Private cable operators (PCO) enjoy positive and cooperative relations with many MDUs and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). PCOs are increasingly recognizing the opportunities offered by DBS providers and are choosing to enter into mutually beneficial relationships with them," noted ICTA Executive Director Bill Burhop. "We see this alliance as a step forward in fostering such advantageous business relationships."

Under the alliance, both organizations will retain full autonomy during the four-year agreement. The agreement includes project revenue sharing provisions which will allow both associations to reinvest revenues made from the alliance to expand existing programs and initiate new activities in service to the Direct-To-Home and MDU industries.

Independent Cable & Telecommunications Association (ICTA) is a trade and service organization which represents Private Cable Operators (PCO), the supporting industry and the Multiple Dwelling Units (MDU/REIT) that PCOs serve. The PCO industry includes some 2,500 small and medium size companies all across the country that offer state-of-the-art technology, service tailored for individual customers and price competition for the large franchise cable and telephone companies.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the home satellite industry. It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of entertainment, news, information and educational programming. The SBCA is composed of satellite manufacturers, system operators, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, DBS companies, mass merchandisers, encryption vendors and programmers.