Datagroup Signs Expansion Contract with Hughes for AIReach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Datagroup Signs Expansion Contract with Hughes for AIReach Broadband PMP System in Ukraine

Telecom Operator Accelerates Deployment of 26 GHz Point-to- Multipoint System
across Ukraine

Germantown, Md., USA, October 30, 2007— Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the world's leading provider of broadband satellite solutions and a major supplier of broadband wireless systems, today announced that it has signed a follow-on contract with Datagroup, a leading telecommunications service provider in Ukraine, to implement its AIReach^® AB9400 point-to-multipoint broadband wireless system across the country.

Datagroup will operate the AB9400 LMDS system in its licensed 26 GHz spectrum and will utilize it in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations. The AB9400 offers full ATM and IP QoS (quality of service) capability, which together with greater IP throughput than other broadband wireless alternatives enables Datagroup to address the growing demand for higher capacity services within all market sectors in Ukraine .

Alexander Danchenko, director general of Datagroup commented, “The Hughes AB9400 is a very reliable and flexible system platform, which means we can offer our customers the latest high-capacity IP services, as well as backhaul our own internal traffic. It utilizes a unique combination of dynamic bandwidth allocation and adaptive modulation to create a virtual capacity that is two to three times greater than the physical capacity.”

“We are excited to be supplying our AB9400 LMDS solution to help fuel Datagroup's rapid growth throughout Ukraine ,” said Tom Hsu, senior vice president and GM, Terrestrial Microwave Division at Hughes. It's an ideal solution for providing a wide range of broadband applications including high-speed internet access, mobile backhaul, point-to-point and leased line connectivity.”

“Datagroup is Hughes' leading broadband satellite service provider in Ukraine and throughout the CIS region, operating two NOCs, and with over 6000 contracted Hughes VSAT sites,” said Konstantin Lanin, Russia/CIS region director of sales for Hughes. “Implementing our AB9400 LMDS solution now positions them to deliver high-quality broadband services cost effectively in all market sectors—urban, suburban, and rural.”

About Datagroup

Datagroup provides an integrated and unique spectrum of services for the telecommunications market of Ukraine, using a combination of city and trunk communication networks; terrestrial, satellite, and radio channels; and international communication lines. End-user services include high-speed access to the Internet; corporate data, voice, and video information networks; access to Reuters bank services, SWIFT, processing centers, connection of cash dispensers, NRP; mobile satellite communications; and multimedia services. Datagroup owns and operates its own 6,500 kilometer trunk fiber optical network and 25 communication centers with failure-safe topology.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, gove rnments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet^® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial microwave technologies. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations.

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 .