Broadband Satellite Ideal for High Speed Internet in Rural Areas

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Broadband Satellite Ideal for High Speed Internet in Rural Areas

Federal Minister of Justice visits Hughes Europe in the context of the Broadband Strategy adopted by the German government

Germantown, Md., June 9, 2009 — German Federal Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, recently visited the European operations of Hughes, the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, in connection with the Broadband Strategy adopted in February by the German government, aimed at providing high speed Internet access in rural areas. Broadband satellite is likely to play a role in this strategy. In conversation with Hughes Europe Managing Director, Christopher Britton, Zypries was informed about the capabilities, applications, and technical implementation of broadband satellite networks. The meeting was preceded by a conversation during the Third National IT Summit of the German Government in Darmstadt in November 2008.

The goal of the German government’s Broadband Strategy is to rapidly provide nationwide high-capacity broadband access for all German citizens. Currently, there are many areas of Germany that lack access to high speed Internet service, especially rural areas. The goal is to close these gaps by the end of 2010. Funding for the program will come from the second economic stimulus package.

“Especially in rural areas, broadband availability is becoming a critical factor in the decision where to locate a company,” said Ms. Zypries. “Broadband increases profitability and attractiveness―and secures jobs.”

Compared to other European countries, Germany is average in terms of broadband penetration. Therefore, the quick deployment of broadband technologies is of vital importance to Germany’s international competitiveness. The key advantage of satellite broadband is its nationwide coverage and almost instantaneous availability.

About Hughes Europe

Hughes Europe is the operating and sales organisation in the European market for Hughes Network Systems, LLC with facilities in Germany, the UK, and Italy. Utilizing its satellite hub earth station and network operations centre in Griesheim, Germany, Hughes Europe provides HughesNet^® broadband satellite and terrestrial solutions to large enterprises, government organizations and small businesses throughout the continent, both directly and through a growing family of value-added service providers. These networks support rapid, reliable transmission of data, voice, video, and multimedia content. For more information, please visit www.hugheseurope.com.

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.