Hughes and PSN Launch Community Wi-Fi Service Throughout Indonesia, Bridging the Digital Divide and Empowering Communities

Satellite-enabled Wi-Fi Hotspots connect more than one million Indonesians to the Internet

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Mar 21, 2019, 08:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., March 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, and PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), the oldest private telecommunication and information service provider in Indonesia, today announced the deployment of their 2,000^th Community Wi-Fi Hotspot in the country. With an average of 500 people having access to each hotspot, Hughes and PSN now enable Internet access for over one million Indonesians, helping to bridge the digital divide in this nation where the Internet penetration rate is 36%.

Hughes Community Wi-Fi employs satellite backhaul to extend Internet service to users beyond the reach of terrestrial broadband, without requiring costly infrastructure. Installed at a local shop or community center, the solution includes a compact VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) and Wi-Fi equipment, which delivers industry standard 802.11 signals across a 30-50 meter radius for customer use. The local merchant sells access to consumers on a cost-per-use basis, supporting affordable digital inclusion through a new service revenue stream.

"Before we began providing Community Wi-Fi service, many rural towns throughout Indonesia did not have reliable broadband Internet service," said Adi Rahman Adiwoso, Chief Executive Officer at PSN. "We are proud to report that, today, we have connected 2,000 villages to the Internet, and we plan to reach even more as we continue to bridge the digital divide and spur community development with the Hughes model of satellite-enabled Community Wi-Fi."

"Our partnership with PSN exemplifies the vital role of High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) technology in connecting the unconnected," said Ramesh Ramaswamy, senior vice president and general manager, International Division at Hughes. "The Community Wi-Fi solution and business model is an ideal way to promote expansion of affordable Internet access in towns and communities everywhere, especially in areas with lower per capita income."

The Hughes Community Wi-Fi solution for PSN combines the Hughes JUPITER™ System, the next generation VSAT platform designed and optimized for broadband services, with capacity from the PSN VI High-Throughput Satellite. The JUPITER System enables PSN to achieve the highest possible capacity and efficiency while preventing fraud and misuse with the built-in ability to lock the Wi-Fi access point to the VSAT modem.

About PSN
PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), is the first private satellite telecommunications company in Indonesia and was established in 1991. PSN provides various telecommunication and multimedia solutions. From a humble beginning as a lessor of satellite transponder, PSN has grown to become a full-range satellite telecommunications provider.

PSN provides data communication service through satellite for the cellular, banking, plantation, and other industries, through its VSAT or SCPC technology. PSN also provides data connectivity to institutions and retail customers throughout Indonesia. PSN is also known as one of the 5 (five) satellite operators in Indonesia and pioneered the innovation of extending satellite lifespan. For further information regarding PSN, please visit www.psn.co.id and follow @PSNengage on Twitter & @PSNengage on Facebook.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in broadband satellite technology and services for home and office. Its flagship high-speed satellite Internet service is HughesNet®, the world's largest satellite network with over 1.3 million residential and business customers across the Americas. For large enterprises and governments, the company's HughesON® managed network services provide complete connectivity solutions employing an optimized mix of satellite and terrestrial technologies. The JUPITER™ System is the world's most widely deployed High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) platform, operating on more than 20 satellites by leading service providers, delivering a wide range of broadband enterprise, mobility and cellular backhaul applications. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 7 million terminals of all types to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share, and its technology is powering broadband services to aircraft around the world.

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. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com and follow @HughesConnects on Twitter.

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

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC