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DIRECTV to Launch ESPN 3D to Millions of Customers Nationwide

03/29/2010

Beginning in June, DIRECTV Will Debut ESPN 3D with 2010 FIFA World Cup Matches

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., and BRISTOL, Conn., Mar 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Continuing to lead the 3D revolution by offering customers new dimensions in sports programming, DIRECTV will add ESPN 3D, the industry's first 3D sports television network, to its upcoming 3D lineup that will offer three dedicated 3D channels, including DIRECTV's newly named linear 3D channel, N3D(TM) powered by Panasonic. Launching in June, millions of DIRECTV HD customers will have access to ESPN's entire 3D programming lineup, including up to 25 2010 FIFA World Cup matches.

ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico. Other events to be produced in 3D includeX Games 16, 2010 college football ACC Championship, 2011 BCS National Championship game, college basketball and NBA games in 2011. DIRECTV HD customers who subscribe to ESPN will receive ESPN 3D at no additional cost.

"Watching ESPN's comprehensive lineup of sports programming in 3D will be like having your own virtual seat at all of your favorite sporting events around the world. We are excited to be the first and only distributor to announce the launch of ESPN 3D and we look forward to announcing additional 3D partners throughout the year," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment.

"ESPN and DIRECTV recognize the groundswell effect 3D has already had on the television industry in the last few months. This agreement is the first step in providing sports fans access to exciting, dynamic content, as well as providing our affiliates new opportunities to provide cutting-edge product offerings to their subscribers," said David C. Preschlack, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing, Disney & ESPN Networks Group.

In addition to N3D(TM) powered by Panasonic, which will deliver the best 3D programming from programmers such as AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., DIRECTV will also offer a 24/7 3D pay per view channel and a 24/7 3D DIRECTV on Demand channel, beginning this June.

This June, DIRECTV HD customers will receive a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) is the world's most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 25 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.56 million customers the capacity for more than 200 HD channels in Dolby 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM), award winning technology like its DIRECTV(R) DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for nine years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 6.5 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.

About ESPN 3D

ESPN was the first to announce an exclusive 3D network in January 2010 which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television. ESPN has produced several 3D telecasts, including a Harlem Globetrotters game in February 2010 and in 2009 the USC vs. Ohio State college football game. ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing the technology in live game applications which have provided the ability to streamline workflow operations, adjust 3D camera positioning, perform transmission tests and gauge fan reaction to a 3D telecast versus a traditional telecast.

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc.
Jade Ekstedt, 310-964-3429
or
ESPN
Colleen Stack Lynch, 860-766-4235

Fight Wireless Phone Taxes and Harmful Regulation

03/26/2010

One-Stop Communications wants you to join the fight against excessive taxes and harmful regulation for wireless phones by joining MyWireless.org. It's free to join and MyWireless.org will help keep you informed and let you know what you can do to fight back.

About MyWireless.org®

Their Mission

MyWireless.org is a national non-profit consumer advocacy organization giving more than 270 million American wireless consumers a powerful and unified voice to protect the freedom, value, convenience, security and mobility they enjoy with wireless service. MyWireless.org brings together consumers from across the country to protect their wireless rights in their cities, states and nationally.

Protecting Our Wireless Freedom

Every day, millions of American consumers take advantage of wireless technology, and every day it becomes more a part of our daily lives. Wireless keeps families and friends connected, helps business deals get done, and even saves lives. The future of wireless promises even more as communication, entertainment, business, speed and functionality converge. However, unfair and excessive taxes and regulations on wireless threaten the innovation, value and choice wireless consumers enjoy today, especially for those on fixed budgets – like seniors, working families and small businesses.

More than 270 million Americans – that’s about 85% of the population – enjoy the personal freedom that wireless offers. The average wireless consumer pays about 15% in taxes and fees – more than DOUBLE the tax rate for most other goods and services. MyWireless.org gives those consumers a unified activist voice to impact policies that affect them, and to protect the affordability and accessibility of wireless for all Americans.

Fighting Excessive Taxes and Harmful Regulation

Wireless offers consumers more choice, value, and innovative products and services, than ever before. But, unfair and excessive new taxes and regulations on wireless are threatening to decrease those consumer benefits. Unfair and excessive wireless taxes and fees exceed 24% in some states, and average about 15% combined nationwide. And further unchecked, taxes on wireless services continue to increase much faster than taxes on other goods and services. Complicated and costly regulations raise prices and add hassles for consumers, without improving the quality and coverage of their service.

American wireless consumers use their device every day to stay connected with family and friends, to be more productive at work, and in case of emergency. MyWireless.org has now empowered more than 1.4 million consumer activists around the nation to help defeat unfair and excessive wireless taxes and regulations throughout the country. In 2009, MyWireless.org will continue to educate consumers about harmful wireless taxes, fees and regulations in their cities, states and in Washington, D.C., and provide the online education and outreach tools to make a difference in protecting their wireless freedom.

DISH Network Launches New Satellite

03/22/2010

DISH Network Launches New Satellite to Expand Industry's Largest HD Offering

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., March 21, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- DISH Network L.L.C., the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in America, today announced the successful launch of its latest satellite, EchoStar XIV.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dish-network-launches-new-satellite-to-expand-industrys-largest-hd-offering-88747237.html

EchoStar XIV allows DISH Network to continue expanding the largest high definition offering in the U.S. The definitive HD leader, DISH Network currently broadcasts more than 160 HD channels as well as HD locals in 152 markets.

Today's launch brings the size of DISH Network's satellite constellation to 15 - the largest fleet in the industry. Built by Space Systems/Loral, EchoStar XIV launched on an International Launch Services Proton/Breeze M vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 2:27 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 20. After a nine-hour, 10-minute mission, EchoStar XIV was successfully released into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite will ultimately reside at 119 degrees West longitude at an altitude of 22,000 miles. Video replays of the launch will be available on www.dish.com on Monday.

"DISH Network continues to launch new satellites to remain at the forefront of multi-channel video programming," said Tom Cullen, executive vice president of Sales, Marketing and Programming for DISH Network. "We look forward to extending our industry-leading HD line-up to well over 200 channels."

For more information about DISH Network, visit www.dish.com.

About DISH Network

DISH Network L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), provides more than 14.1 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2009, with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value, including the lowest all-digital price nationwide. Customers have access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most HD channels, the most international channels, state-of-the-art interactive TV applications, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including 1080p Video on Demand and the ViP(R) 722 HD DVR, a CNET and PC Magazine "Editors' Choice." DISH Network Corporation is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com, follow on Twitter, @dishnetwork, or become a Fan on Facebook,www.facebook.com/dishnetwork.

SOURCE DISH Network Corporation

One-Stop Supports Reedsville Athletic Association

03/18/2010

One-Stop Communications donates a $150 check to the Reedsville Athletic Association. The funds will be used to support the Reedsville Youth Park Little League Baseball Field. Pictured are Nathan Kenepp, Assistant Store Manager from One-Stop Communications and Kevin Walker, President of the Reedsville Athletic Association.

One-Stop Prepares for the FCC Narrowbanding Mandate

03/16/2010

One-Stop Communications has been working with local public service agencies and businesses to help prepare for the upcoming FCC Narrowbanding Mandate.

Key Points About FCC Narrowbanding Requirements

Most current public safety radio systems use 25 kHz-wide channels.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all non-Federal public safety licensees using 25 kHz radio systems migrate to narrowband 12.5 kHz channels by January 1, 2013.
Agencies that do not meet the deadline face the loss of communication capabilities.
Agencies need to start planning now to migrate to narrowband systems by assessing their current radio equipment and applying for new or modified licenses.

Overview
Private land mobile radio (LMR) systems—including municipal government and State and local public safety systems—use blocks of radio spectrum called channels. (See Radio Spectrum9766.) Historically, LMR systems have used 25 kHz-wide channels. In December 2004, the Federal Communications Commission mandated that all private LMR users operating below 512 MHz move to 12.5 kHz narrowband voice channels and highly efficient data channel operations by January 1, 2013. [1]This migration complements a National Telecommunications and Information Administration mandate for more rapid Federal agency migration to 12.5 kHz narrowband operation by January 1, 2008. The earlier Federal deadline affects State and local FCC licensees that interface or share frequencies with Federal radio systems.

Using narrowband channels will ensure that agencies take advantage of more efficient technology and, by reducing channel width, will allow additional channels to exist within the same spectrum space, as illustrated.

*Some of the above information was obtained from the US Department of Justice.

For more information about narrowbanding read the attached brochure from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Municipal Signal Association.

Contact David Fisher II at One-Stop Communications for more information on how we can help you with this mandate. 717-363-8070 or david@onestop.biz

narrowbanding_v2_r2.pdf
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Motorola Backflip Powered by Google/Android Now Available at One-Stop

03/08/2010

The Google/Android-powered Motorola Backflip smartphone is now available from One-Stop Communications.

At this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the smartphone was CNET’s Best of Show award in the Cell phones and Smartphones category, thanks in large part, to its innovative backward flip design, which features a touchpad on the back of the touchscreen and a large user-friendly QWERTY keyboard.

Other features of the Backflip, which runs Android 1.5 are: a 3.1-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, WiFi, video and audio playback capabilities, Bluetooth, the new Motorola Motoblur application and, of course, access to the Android market.