WRSP Worldspace (MM)

WORLDSPACE� 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 F�d�ral 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. �We are very pleased at the efficiency with which the OFCOM has granted us this approval,� said Noah A. Samara, Chairman and CEO of WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio. �As we begin planning the content line-up for our Italian launch and subsequent European markets we hope to secure shortly, including the UK, Germany, Spain and France, we hope to be able to parlay our unique variety of news, sports, music and entertainment programming into a line-up that is equally attractive to Switzerland�s diverse cultures.� Although not large, the Swiss market is attractive for satellite radio, given the demographics that fit its early adopter profile. For example, it has a population that exceeds 7.5 million, with a per capita GDP of approximately 39,800 USD � a figure that is larger than that of each of the �big five� European countries targeted for service by WORLDSPACE. The three main ethnicities and official languages of Switzerland are: German (65%), French (20%) and Italian (10%). It is home to the international banking community, various United Nations departments and multiple international business conglomerations and thus home to a large expatriate population. There are approximately four million automobiles in the country with new car sales expected to rise to about 320,000 in 2010. WORLDSPACE continues to execute against its business plan for Europe, with numerous milestones achieved over the past year. 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. WORLDSPACE also participated in the development of the standard for satellite digital radio (SDR) adopted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in December 2006. This standard is at the core of WORLDSPACE�s technology and permits the most efficient use of the allocated spectrum, maximizing digital capacity while maintaining excellent service quality, even in difficult reception environments such as urban centers. About WORLDSPACE� Satellite Radio Based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Worldspace, Inc. (Nasdaq:WRSP) is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WORLDSPACE delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner. WORLDSPACE subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WORLDSPACE content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN International, Virgin Radio UK, and RFI. WORLDSPACE's satellites cover two-thirds of the earth's population with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WORLDSPACE Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage areas. WORLDSPACE is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, visit www.WORLDSPACE.com. Forward-looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs about future events and financial, political and social trends and assumptions it has made based on information currently available to it. The Company cannot assure that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized. Such forward-looking statements may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. For factors that could cause actual results to vary, perhaps materially, from these forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other subsequent filings. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.