Antenna Man Achieves Platinum Dealer Distinction from Hughes

Helping Close the Digital Divide by Bringing HughesNet Satellite Broadband to Northern Vermont Homes and Offices

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Feb 28, 2011, 07:30 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced that Antenna Man, a Vermont-based satellite television and Internet access dealer, has been awarded platinum dealer status for signing-up and supporting new residential and business customers of HughesNet® , the nations' #1 high-speed satellite Internet service. With more than 550,000 subscribers in 96 percent of America's zip codes, HughesNet satellite broadband reaches communities everywhere, including those underserved or unserved by terrestrial technologies such as DSL or cable.

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More Americans want and need high-speed access to the Internet, including in northern Vermont where Antenna Man is headquartered. "Unfortunately, dial-up is the only option for many Vermont residents," said Jeff Wheeler of Antenna Man. "Our customers look to us to help them get a high-speed connection so they can perform a variety of essential tasks, from staying connected with family and friends, to running home-based businesses, to paying bills online."

Antenna Man has seen first-hand how broadband has changed their customers' lives. Jim and Sharlyn Jordan said, "The HughesNet service gives us the speed to access the Internet for our personal and business needs. Antenna Man provides us incredible service whenever we need it, always proving to be very prompt and knowledgeable. We highly recommend Antenna Man to anyone who needs HDTV, satellite TV, or satellite Internet."

"The HughesNet service is very popular with my customers because it is a reliable, always-on connection that enables my customers to work and play online much faster than with dial-up," said Wheeler. "Many customers didn't realize they had an alternative to dial-up until they came into the store and saw the service for themselves. I'm very proud to achieve this distinction from Hughes and look forward to continuing to provide top-notch service to my current customers and new ones in the near future."

"Dealers like Antenna Man help educate people that they don't have to be stuck with dial-up and can get our HughesNet high-speed connection virtually anywhere across America," said Allen McCabe, vice president for Channel Sales at Hughes. "They are a highly valued member of our expanding dealer network, having consistently provided a premier quality level of service for our HughesNet customers."

About Antenna Man, LLP

Antenna Man, located in Newport, Vermont, was established in 1953 and provides commercial and residential video and broadband services. Antenna Man currently offers DirecTV, HughesNet, and Dish Network and has professionally installed over 10,000 systems since beginning operation.

Antenna Man is one of the leading installation and sales companies for the HughesNet service, achieving a very high degree of customer satisfaction. For additional information, please call 1-802-334-8823 or visit www.antennaman.tv.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. 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 2.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 50% market share. Its products employ global standards approved by TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: HUGH). For more information, please visit www.hughes.com.

Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC