iesy and Tele Columbus to Combine

iesy and Tele Columbus to Combine

Combination of Germany's Two Most Dynamic Cable Operations

Broader Product Offerings for Customers

Subject to Regulatory Approval and Customary Closing Conditions

FRANKFURT and COLOGNE, Germany, August 1/PRNewswire/ -- The shareholders of iesy Repository GmbH ("iesy") and Tele
Columbus Kabel Holding GmbH ("Tele Columbus") have agreed to combine their
two businesses. Tele Columbus is the largest Network Level 4 ("Level 4")
operator in Germany and iesy is the largest cable television provider in the
German states of Hesse and (through its subsidiary ish) North
Rhine-Westphalia.

Parm Sandhu, CEO of iesy and ish, commented:

"This combination will enhance our ability to compete in the
vibrant markets in which we operate. It brings together two of the most
dynamic cable operations and established management teams in German cable. We
anticipate significant benefits for our customers and will continue to work
closely with all our industry partners to realise the full potential of cable
in Germany."

Dr Herbert Leifker, CEO of Tele Columbus, added:

"The combination will positively influence the development of
our product portfolio we can offer to our customers and enhance the quality
of services we provide to our customers. The management team is very excited
about the opportunities that this transaction brings to German cable."

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other
customary closing conditions. The parties aim for a closing in the fourth
quarter 2005, subject to approval by the respective cartel offices. Until the
closing date, both companies shall continue to operate independently.

The Companies will be hosting a joint conference call to
discuss the transaction with investors; details to be circulated.

About iesy and ish

iesy and ish, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main and Cologne, are the
largest cable television operators in the German states of Hesse and North
Rhine-Westphalia. The company's products and services include basic
television, digital TV, high-speed internet and telephony. As of June 30th
2005, iesy and ish had approximately 5.2 million basic cable subscribers,
88,450 digital TV subscribers, 27,500 high-speed internet users and 9,800
telephone lines. More information on iesy can be found on its website at
http://www.iesy.de and more information on ish can be found at
http://www.ish.de

About Tele Columbus

Tele Columbus, headquartered in Hanover, is the largest NL4
operator in Germany with approximately 2.6 million basic cable subscribers,
52,837 digital TV subscribers, and 23,301 internet subscribers, as of June
30th 2005. The company's core business is the distribution of cable
television and radio services. More information on Tele Columbus can be found
on its website at http://www.telecolumbus.de

For further information:
Contacts for Investors
Gary Ferrera
Chief Financial Officer, iesy
+49-(0)-69-973-24-600
Investor.relations@iesy.de

Andreas Knuppel
Chief Financial Officer,
Tele Columbus
+49-(0)-511-9876-916

Contacts for Journalists:
Stefan Lennardt
Corporate Communications, ish
+49-(0)-221-37792-197
presse@ish.com

Ralph Poeppel
Investor Relations
Tele Columbus
+49-(0)-511-9876-932
rpoeppel@kabel-tv.de

Source: ish GmbH & Co. KG

For further information: Contacts for Investors - Gary Ferrera, Chief Financial Officer, iesy, +49-(0)-69-973-24-600, Investor.relations@iesy.de. Andreas Knuppel, Chief Financial Officer, Tele
Columbus, +49-(0)-511-9876-916. Contacts for Journalists: Stefan Lennardt, Corporate Communications, ish, +49-(0)-221-37792-197, presse@ish.com. Ralph Poeppel, Investor Relations, Tele Columbus, +49-(0)-511-9876-932, rpoeppel@kabel-tv.de

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