FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rede Smart Chooses Hughes to Provide Broadband Satellite Services to its Retail Stores Throughout BrazilLargest grocery store chain in Brazil to be connected with nationwide HughesNet service Germantown, Md., January 21, 2008—Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, announced today that it has been selected by Rede Smart, a Martins Group company, to provide HughesNet® broadband satellite managed network services to Rede Smart's 930 grocery stores throughout Brazil. Rede Smart management selected Hughes over other telecom operators in Brazil after a tender process and thorough assessment of all proposed solutions. “We selected Hughes because they put together three fundamental elements for us. It is a renowned company using recognized, reliable technology; it offers national coverage, as the HughesNet service is available anywhere in the country; and it is a very cost-effective solution that our member stores can afford,” said Luiz Henrique Abrantes Escobar, managing director for the company. The first phase of the project will connect 300 stores via the nationwide HughesNet satellite service, enabling rapid processing of online debit and credit card transactions. A key benefit of fast credit card processing is reduced queuing time at the cashiers, a benefit small stores will now enjoy that previously was available only to larger retailers in Brazil. “The technology solution being implemented at the Rede Smart stores will benefit all the members—it is very affordable even for small member retailers and allows the integration of all member stores in the chain,” added Escobar. In the second phase of the project, the remaining stores will be connected through HughesNet and additional value-added applications will be supported, including distance learning for store employees, live video distribution throughout the entire network, and back-office systems. Escobar said that Rede Smart has invested heavily in logistics technology and infrastructure to enable small retailers to be competitive. Prior to this satellite project, each store was responsible for fulfilling its communications needs on its own and dial-up, point-of-sale (POS) solutions were used for debit and credit card transactions. The HughesNet service will provide a unified telecommunications network for all stores, with the same technology platform and level of service throughout Brazil . Rede Smart plans to integrate all 930 stores during 2008. Escobar believes the project offers specific benefits to small retailers. “The small retailer has difficulty affording the large investment often necessary to obtain the latest technology, as standalone store technology can be expensive. However, being part of a large network gives retailers greater purchasing power and advanced technology becomes affordable,” he explained. Rafael Guimaraes, marketing director, Hughes Brazil, said, “We are proud to have been selected by Rede Smart, extending Hughes leadership in providing broadband satellite services in Brazil to the retail industry. The services to be implemented will add significant value to all the Rede Smart retailers and to their customers.” About Martins Group What began in 1953 as a small grocery store is recognized today as the largest wholesale distributor in Latin America. With diversified operations, the Martins Group sells consumer goods ranging from food to electro-electronics to civil construction, and veterinary and pharmaceutical products, resulting in annual revenues of over US$ 1.1 billion. Rede Smart Rede Smart is the largest affiliation grocery store chain in Brazil . The Martins Group developed this concept as an evolution of “loyalty programs.” Based on a membership concept, Rede Smart creates a standard brand for member stores. The stores are identified as belonging to the chain, but are independently owned and managed. The services made available to Rede Smart members include improved negotiation with suppliers for the entire group, standardization of the technology infrastructure, improvement in the store's layout, training of staff, and support of commercial operation management. Rede Smart also provides a help desk that is available to all member stores to answer questions and meet daily demands. About Hughes Network Systems Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com . © 2008 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. All Rights Reserved. HUGHES and HughesNet are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. |
