Hughes CEO, Pradman Kaul Joins Industry Visionaries as Inductee into the SSPI Hall of Fame

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Hughes CEO, Pradman Kaul Joins Industry Visionaries as Inductee into the SSPI Hall of Fame

Kaul honored for outstanding career accomplishments in satellite communications

Germantown, Md., USA, 23 March 2009 — Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced that Pradman Kaul, Hughes CEO and Chairman, will be inducted into the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Hall of Fame on March 25th. Kaul will be honored as one of five industry leaders recognized for career accomplishments in satellite communications during a reception immediately preceding SSPI's annual black tie gala at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

“We are pleased to honor Pradman Kaul for his outstanding business and technology leadership in a long career with Hughes,” said Robert Bell, executive director of SSPI. “Kaul was instrumental in developing industry-changing and innovative technologies, such as the TDMA satellite communications system, VSAT technology, digital set-top boxes, and the Internet Protocol over Satellite (IPoS) standard. Kaul is truly a visionary and pioneer who has made possible the age of satellite communications.”

A Distinguished Career

For over 30 years, Mr. Kaul has been a leading force in the satellite industry. Since being part of the engineering team that invented the very small aperture terminal (VSAT) in the mid-80s, he has helped revolutionize the use of satellite technology for commercial applications. Whether it's a Fortune 50 company such as Wal-Mart, a small/medium enterprise, government agency, or a consumer, customers of satellite networks in all segments have been influenced by Kaul's accomplishments.

Kaul has led Hughes to be the world's leading provider of satellite networks and services—annually maintaining well over 50% market share, and currently with more than 1.9 million terminals shipped to customers in over 100 countries. Hughes and Kaul have been synonymous with landmark industry achievements spanning all areas, from developing technology standards, to designing and manufacturing breakthrough products, to delivering unique value-added services and solutions.

Kaul is the holder of numerous patents that have been instrumental to the company's success and to the advancement of the satellite industry. Kaul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, who selected Kaul as “Distinguished Engineering Alumnus” in 1999. Awarded the IEEE Third Millennium medal in 2000, he was also elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2004. Most recently, Kaul was selected the “Satellite Executive of the Year” by Via Satellite magazine.

“I am delighted to be the newest inductee into the Hall of Fame and join a long list of individuals who, throughout their careers, have made truly unique and significant contributions to advance the satellite industry,” said Kaul.

About SSPI

The SSPI Hall of Fame was introduced in 1987 to recognize the valuable contributions of the visionaries and pioneers who have made possible the age of satellite communications. With induction ceremonies taking place at an invitational ceremony every other year in conjunction with SSPI's annual black tie Gala, it honors individuals who have devoted their careers to the advancing technology and to helping build the political and commercial foundations of the industry. The SSPI is the professional development society of the global satellite industry.

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. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.9 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.

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 .