EchoStar XVII Satellite with JUPITER High Throughput Technology Successfully Positioned in Orbital Slot

Hughes to Begin Rigorous In-Orbit Testing to Validate Performance of the Industry's Highest Capacity Ka-band Satellite Internet Service

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Hughes Network Systems, LLC

Jul 23, 2012, 08:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced it will begin testing of its new EchoStar XVII satellite with JUPITER™ high-throughput technology, following the successful placement into its permanent geosynchronous orbital slot of 107.1 degrees West longitude last week.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110112/NE29456LOGO )

Orbiting at 22,300 miles above the earth, the new generation Ka-band satellite was launched by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana on July 5, 2012. Space Systems/Loral manufactured EchoStar XVII, which is designed with a high capacity, multi-spot beam architecture that will expand coverage on areas with the highest traffic demand by consumers and businesses in North America.

"The launch and positioning of EchoStar XVII is a significant milestone for Hughes, as it will be the cornerstone for our HughesNet^® Gen4 satellite Internet service," said Paul Gaske, Hughes executive vice president and general manager, North America Division. "With well over 100 Gbps capacity, EchoStar XVII will build on the success of our SPACEWAY^® 3 satellite--the world's largest commercial satellite network, expanding high-speed satellite Internet access in North America to over 1.5 million new consumer and small business subscribers. Hughes pioneered the satellite broadband industry, and with HughesNet Gen4 we will deliver customers a media-rich Internet experience like never before."

HughesNet Gen4 will dramatically improve Internet browsing performance and high-bandwidth video and music applications. Hughes expects to begin commercial operations this fall.

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 2.8 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 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.

©2012 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. Hughes, HughesNet and SPACEWAY are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. JUPITER is a trademark of Hughes Network Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC