Hughes Unveils New Comprehensive Service Brand

Hughes Unveils New Comprehensive Service Brand

March 27, 2006

HughesNet Reflects Expanded Range of Services and Heritage of Technology Innovation and Market Leadership

    GERMANTOWN, Md., March 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Hughes
Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in
broadband satellite networks and services, today introduced
its new HughesNet(TM) brand, replacing DIRECWAY(R).
Reflecting the company's heritage of technology innovation
and market leadership, the new name ushers in an expanded
range of broadband solutions and services for all its
customer segments -- enterprise, government, small
business, and consumer.
 
    The new HughesNet brand encompasses all broadband
solutions and services from Hughes, bridging the best of
satellite and terrestrial technologies. These include
managed network services, digital media, and enhanced
broadband offerings for business and government agencies,
as well as high-speed satellite Internet access for
consumers and small businesses.

    "This is the beginning of an exciting new era for
Hughes," said Pradman Kaul, Chairman and CEO.
"The new HughesNet brand underscores our corporate
commitment to enable our customers to realize the full
potential of broadband solutions and services, utilizing
the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies."

    Hughes has more than 30 years experience in designing
and managing complex data networks. The company invented
the VSAT (very small aperture terminal) and has been the
market leader in providing satellite networks since 1986,
when Wal-Mart first chose Hughes technology to connect
their growing number of stores. In June of 2005, the
editors of Fortune called Wal-Mart's deployment of VSAT
technology one of the top 20 decisions that "shaped
the modern world of business."

    Further explaining the change, Kaul said, "It only
took us a few years to establish DIRECWAY as the world's
leading 'broadband by satellite' service brand. But we're
now expanding to become the leading provider of broadband
solutions and services that integrate the best of both
satellite and terrestrial technologies to deliver unmatched
business value," he added. "HughesNet is a more
compelling representation of our company's overall market
reach and capability."

    Hughes, a leading managed network services provider,
will organize its HughesNet enterprise and government
offerings around three core segments: 

    * Managed Network Services. HughesNet Managed Network
Services combine 
      satellite and terrestrial technologies to create High
Availability 
      Networks, Optimized Networks, and Access Continuity
Services.

    * Digital Media Services. For businesses that need to
distribute digital 
      content, HughesNet Digital Media Services will
provide digital signage, 
      business IPTV, general content distribution, and
training offerings.

    * Enhanced Network Services. For companies with more
specialized broadband 
      needs, HughesNet Enhanced Services will include VPN,
enhanced security, 
      Internet access, and customized mail offerings.

    In the consumer and small business sectors where the
company currently serves more than 275,000 customers in the
US, HughesNet will encompass a variety of new, enhanced
services that will be rolled out over the course of the
year. All services are designed to enhance the user
experience and position the company as a comprehensive
Internet Service Provider (ISP). Anticipated services
include customized start pages, domain hosting,
personalized Web addresses, blogging, and advanced
hosting.

    HughesNet services are delivered directly by Hughes in
North America, South America, Europe, India, and China, and
by a growing family of authorized service providers
worldwide.

    To learn more about Hughes or the HughesNet service
brand, please visit http://www.hughes.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. Hughes has shipped more than 1 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. (OTC Bulletin Board: HGCM). For
additional information, please visit http://www.hughes.com
.

    HUGHES, HUGHESNET, and IPOS are trademarks of Hughes
Network Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Judy Blake,
     Hughes Network Systems, LLC
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]
 
     Leslie Tullio,
     Brodeur
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Hughes Network Systems, LLC