Hughes and Thales Complete Successful Test of Rapidly Deployable LTE Mobile Network via Satellite

Testing Confirms Private System-On-Wheels Communications Between First Responders and Emergency Operations Centers

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Jul 22, 2014, 09:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md. and CLARKSBURG, Md., July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, and Thales Defense & Security, Inc., a global leader in aerospace, transportation, defense and security technologies, today announced they have successfully tested a rapidly deployable Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobile networking solution via satellite. The solution leverages the powerful combination of Hughes SPACEWAY^® 3 and JUPITER^™ high-throughput technologies, connecting with the Thales B-14 system-on-wheels. This robust and private network solution can be deployed virtually anywhere, making it ideal for emergency response networks such as FirstNet, the nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network.

"The key to emergency preparedness and response is ensuring first responders can communicate with each other and with Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) to share information about the disaster and coordinate the response to it—no matter where they are located," said Tony Bardo, Assistant Vice President for Government Solutions at Hughes. "This successful test proves that Hughes satellite technology and systems, combined with Thales LTE deployable system-on-wheels, provides the public safety community with a mobile networking solution that is easy to use, dependable, and enhances capabilities over current narrowband voice radio systems."

Hughes and Thales conducted situational testing operating on the 700MHz public safety spectrum to validate the solution's performance and interoperability with public safety network requirements. Using readily available smartphones and vehicular modems, first responders are able to easily communicate and share video with each other and EOCs via this local deployable broadband network.

"Cellular and broadband networks see the most congestion right after a catastrophe," said Lewis Johnston, Vice President of Advanced Programs at Thales. "As people scramble to reach loved ones, first responders spring into action, facing the same communication challenges as the general public at a time when the need to communicate between each other and with EOCs is the most critical. Our deployable 4G/LTE secured communications solution enables the security, availability and resilience of mission-critical applications to solve this problem, which is vital to the public safety mission."

The test marks Hughes' latest innovation for the public safety community and emergency operators, ensuring secure, reliable connectivity using the latest combined mobile and satellite communications technologies. Previously, Hughes successfully tested its satellite solutions for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) backhaul for two Cabinet-level agencies and in multiple states, including Louisiana's Department of Public Safety.

About Thales
Thales (www.thalesgroup.com) is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation, and Defense & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion ($19.2 billion) with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners.

Headquartered in Clarksburg, Maryland USA, Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (www.thalesdsi.com) serves military and civilian customers worldwide with an innovative product portfolio that includes communication systems; helmet mounted display and motion tracking technologies; tactical SATCOM terminals; intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance solutions; electronic warfare; combat management systems; advanced sonars; air traffic management solutions; and information security and data protection solutions.

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 4 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.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC