EchoStar Communications Corp. [DISH] announced that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corp., has elected to retire all of its outstanding 9 º percent senior notes due 2006, three years early pursuant to its optional early redemption right.

In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the $375 million principal amount of the notes will be repurchased effective Feb. 1, 2003, at 104.625 percent, a total of approximately $392 million. Interest will be paid through the Feb. 1, 2003, redemption date. The trustee for the notes is the U.S. Bank Trust National Association.