WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio Receives Terrestrial Repeater Network . Approval from Switzerland

WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:WRSP), one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced it has received approval from Switzerland s Office Federal de la Communication (OFCOM) to operate terrestrial repeaters that will work in conjunction with its existing satellite network to provide Swiss consumers with a subscription-based satellite radio service.
WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio will use the 12.5 MHz of L-band frequency (1479.5 to 1492 MHz) harmonized for satellite radio in Europe and for which WORLDSPACE has priority rights throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The Company plans to offer a mobile service as early as 2009 on the continent, beginning with Italy; and in Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE) - places where WORLDSPACE has already received authorization to launch its satellite/terrestrial hybrid radio service.
The Company s European strategy is to roll out its service on a sequential country-by-country basis, beginning with Italy, where aftermarket radios are expected to be available to consumers in early 2009 and OEM (factory installed) radios in several Fiat models by late 2009.
In addition to Italy and now Switzerland, the Company expects to secure four more licenses in 2008, from the other major European markets.
The Company recently selected Delphi to design the first WORLDSPACE satellite radio mobile receivers (aftermarket and OEM) for Europe; Fiat Group Automobiles has signed on as the first manufacturer to install and distribute WORLDSPACE satellite radios in Italy; Fraunhofer IIS is developing the receiver reference design for the radios; and Certicom s conditional access system has been selected for security of the Company s broadcast services.