FCC Broadband Report Ranks HughesNet® Gen4 Internet Service Highest in Meeting Advertised Performance

#1 Among All Major Broadband Services in Consistently Delivering Promised Download and Upload Speeds

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Jan 06, 2016, 08:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HughesNet^® Gen4 satellite broadband service ranked first among all major Internet service providers for delivering on advertised performance promises in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) fifth annual report on consumer broadband services, "Measuring Broadband America – 2015," issued on December 30, 2015. HughesNet is America's #1 satellite broadband service with more than 1 million subscribers, and is delivered by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), the world's leading provider of broadband satellite solutions and services.

The FCC report evaluated satellite, DSL, cable and fiber Internet access services from 16 providers, covering over 80% of the U.S. residential marketplace. It found that the HughesNet Gen4 service exceeded advertised download and upload speeds at higher rates than any other satellite or terrestrial broadband provider. Download speeds were consistently more than twice advertised, even during peak usage times. Similarly, upload speeds were more than 1.5 times advertised speed.

"The FCC's report is especially gratifying because it confirms that HughesNet Gen4 consistently delivers on the performance promised to our customers," said Mike Cook, senior vice president, North America Division at Hughes. "It gives validation to our entire team of engineers, technicians, customer service representatives, channel partners and installers who work tirelessly to bring the many benefits of Internet access to our ever growing base of subscribers, no matter where they live or work."

In addition to over-delivering on promised speeds, HughesNet was one of the top ISPs in limiting network packet loss, which is typically caused by network congestion and can be an important factor in the perceived quality of online applications.

This is the first time HughesNet Gen4 has been evaluated in the "Measuring Broadband America" report, which is published annually by the FCC to document the evolution of broadband service quality, including download and upload speeds and the performance of specific applications, such as web browsing, VoIP, and streaming video.

Hughes invented the commercial VSAT (very small aperture satellite terminal) and pioneered consumer satellite Internet service and the technology to support it—from satellites to gateways to modems. The top ranking validates the company's 40-plus years of experience in managing high-speed satellite networks and advancing the state-of-the-art in satellite technology.

In 2015, the company released its SmartTechnologies^™ suite of enhancements to improve subscribers' speed and browsing experience by compressing data more efficiently, speeding downloads, improving Web browsing, and helping subscribers optimize their data usage. In 2016, Hughes will expand the JUPITER™ platform that powers HughesNet Gen4 by launching the industry's highest-capacity broadband satellite, EchoStar XIX. Echostar XIX's multi-spot beam Ka-band capabilities will help meet the increasing demand for the HughesNet Gen4 service in North America.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the global leader in satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative solutions and a comprehensive suite of HughesON^™ managed services for enterprises and governments worldwide. HughesNet^® is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite and video delivery solutions. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications technologies through its EchoStar Satellite Services, EchoStar Technologies Corporation and Hughes Network Systems business segments. For more information, visit echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on Twitter.

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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC