WNBC Selects Thomcast Solid State Digital Transmitter

<%=company1%> (Southwick, MA), prominent supplier of broadcasting and wireless communications products and services, announces the purchase of an Ultimate Model Solid State Transmitter by NBC owned and operated WNBC. The Thomcast UHF 15 kW, 8 VSB, Ultimate solid state digital transmitter will be installed in the World Trade Center WNBC Transmitter Facility located in New York City, the number one broadcast market in the US.

Thomcast Communications recently introduced the Thomcast Ultimate/Optimum solid state product line to the US broadcast market. The Ultimate transmitter is scheduled for December shipment, and tentatively scheduled for a spring 2000 on-air date. The unit will be the first water cooled solid state 15 kW 8VSB Digital transmitter in the US equipped with Thomcast's revolutionary Digital Adaptive Pre-Correction "DAP" (patent pending) capability. The DAP enhancement will provide optimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance, resulting in excellent transmission quality for viewers in the New York City area. The solid state Thomcast transmitter is water-cooled and features superior redundant reliability.

"WNBC is the number one station in the market - we are very pleased about the sale of this unit to a broadcaster with such a rich heritage in the industry as WNBC Television," explains Richard Fiore, Vice President of Sales for Thomcast Communications.

WNBC is one of twelve NBC Owned and Operated Stations. NBC O&Os have been pioneers in the implementation of the US 8 VSB Digital television system using Comark IOT transmitters, and have been broadcasting in digital at KNBC, Los Angeles, CA; WCAU, Philadelphia, PA; and WRC, Washington, DC, for the past year.

On January 1, 1999, Comark Communications, Inc., and Comwave merged to form Thomcast Communications Inc. Both Comark and Comwave operated as separate companies owned by Thomcast for several years. The Comark Division of Thomcast Communications Inc. is an Emmy award winner and leading supplier of high power UHF and VHF television transmitters to the terrestrial broadcasting industry. Thomcast, a wholly owned subsidiary of THOMSON-CSF, is a leading world-wide broadcast products and systems supplier. Thomcast offers a wide and unique product line, such as radio, television and wireless systems, broadcast antenna systems, and MPEG digital equipment and systems. Thomcast's world-wide presence includes operations in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.

For more information, call Richard Fiore of Thomcast Communications Inc. at 413-569-0116, or email rfiore@thomcastcom.com.