Tata Sky selects Sun Microsystems to build state-of-the-art direct-to-home (DTH) television service in India

Mumbai, March 13, 2006 - Tata Sky Ltd., the joint venture between TATA and STAR, today announced it has selected Sun Microsystems, Inc. to provide IT Infrastructure solutions and support for the launch of the company's direct-to-home (DTH) television service in India in mid-2006.

Tata Sky is investing in building a high quality digital infrastructure in the country to offer a superior television viewing experience to Indian households. The service will enhance the choice for viewers looking for the best of pay television services in the country. Tata Sky aims to become India's largest digital television platform, offering consumers a wide array of programming choices with interactive features and superior picture and sound quality.

"We are delighted to have chosen Sun Microsystems," said Mr. Vikram Kaushik, CEO, Tata Sky Ltd. "Sun's offerings will enable us with a technology infrastructure that is best-of-class and geared to deliver high service level standards that we are targeting".

"We are proud to be chosen to offer the technology infrastructure needed by Tata Sky," said Mr. Bhaskar Pramanik, Managing Director, Sun Microsystems, India. "Our products are highly scalable and reliable, making it easier for us to deliver mission critical applications for the most exciting new DTH TV project in the world".

Tata Sky will be powered by a combination of Sun Fire E20K servers running UltraSPARC(R) IV+-based processors and Sun Fire Workgroup servers. The servers will run the Solaris(TM) 10 operating system with Sun N1(TM) System Manager to ensure maximum up-time, fault recovery and load management. In the lead up to the launch, Sun Services will provide installation, engineering expertise and support to Tata Sky. Sun data management products will store, manage and backup all the data on SE9990, SE6130, NAS, and Tape Library.

About Tata Sky

Tata Sky Ltd., a joint venture of TATA and STAR, is committed to build a state-of-the-art Digital infrastructure for Pay Television in India. Tata Sky plans to introduce a nationwide Direct-to-Home (DTH) service that would allow it to reach every Indian home, however remote it may be. The service plans to offer its subscribers the best of cable channels, new innovative programming and interactive services.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com or the Asia South website at http://sun.com.sg.sun.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Solaris, Java, Sun Fire, and The Network is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the US and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.