Hughes CEO Awarded World Trade Center Institute's International Leadership Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hughes CEO Awarded World Trade Center Institute's International Leadership Award

Kaul Recognized for Outstanding Leadership and Creative Strategy in International Business

Germantown, Md., March 12, 2008 — Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), will be among several recipients of the 12 th Annual International Leadership Award from the World Trade Center Institute during the Annual Leadership Awards ceremony tonight in Baltimore, Md. The coveted award is given to company leaders who have demonstrated exceptional business leadership, determination, and creative strategy in international business.

“Under Kaul's leadership, Hughes' remarkable accomplishments and strong growth record make the company a terrific model for other Maryland firms on the global horizon,” said Gary Collins, senior vice president, Bank of America and Chairman of the Leadership Awards Committee. “The 2008 honorees boast great Maryland stories, tremendous success, and impressive growth.”

Kaul is among six other recipients honored for their work in taking their companies to new global heights. The winners were selected from a competitive roster of 80 business leaders and voted on by the International Business Leadership Awards Committee.

“I am honored for Hughes to be recognized in this manner and extend my congratulations to the other recipients of this coveted award,” said Kaul. “Our employees are the reason for our success, and together we pride ourselves in helping shrink the world's boundaries by bringing reliable satellite communications solutions to international governments and enterprises in over 100 countries across the globe,” said Kaul.

Awarded for the past 11 years, the International Business Leadership Award has become widely recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the Maryland business world.

About the World Trade Center Institute

Established in Baltimore in 1989 to help connect Maryland to the globe, today the World Trade Center Institute is Maryland 's premier global business partner. The members and program participants benefit from valuable international business training, global connections, and customized consulting. With extensive global reach via 300 fellow World Trade Centers around the world, the Baltimore center operates as a private, non-profit organization.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet^® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Hughes has shipped more than 1.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-D2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

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 .