Hughes Announces Emergency Networking Solutions in Anticipation of Hurricane Season

Solutions Ensure Government and Business Networks Stay Up and Running When Disaster Strikes

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May 21, 2012, 08:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, and a leading provider of managed network and application services, today announced the availability of Hughes Emergency Services in anticipation of the 2012 hurricane season. Hughes Emergency Services include network restoral, post-event response and preparedness satellite solutions designed to provide robust, expedited broadband Internet connectivity for government and business when a disaster strikes.

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According to the National Hurricane Center, the 2011 hurricane season's biggest event – Hurricane Irene – caused over $15 billion in damage and killed 49 people.[1] This year, projections are mixed, as meteorologists predict fewer named storms but greater proximity to the U.S. coastline. According to a recent report in Forbes, hurricanes in 2012 are more likely to develop closer to the U.S., which will make forecasting more difficult and reduce warning lead-times.[2]

"This year's unpredictable storm season reinforces two facts," said Mike Cook, senior vice president at Hughes. "You cannot predict if a storm will strike, but you can prepare for its worst effects. Businesses and governments must ensure continuity of operations during disasters—which means the ability to respond to immediate citizen and customer needs. But no response is possible without reliable communications. When cell phone towers are damaged and traditional circuits flooded, satellite broadband service ensures that organizations can respond to the disaster and maintain day-to-day operations like sending emails, processing orders, sharing information and checking inventory."

Businesses and government agencies should follow these steps to stay connected during hurricane season 2012:

Have a back-up generator and plenty of batteries on hand. Maintaining electrical power will be a top priority because without it, organizations cannot ensure an Internet connection.
Subscribe to a resilient, high-speed Internet service, such as satellite broadband, so that decision-makers and emergency operators can stay connected even if terrestrial networks fail.
Prepare and protect critical data. Evaluate which applications and information systems are essential. This can include Continuity of Operations (COOP) and emergency response plans, accounting documents, inventory logs, and constituent information. Organizations should back-up information frequently and store the data in a safe, secure and dependable facility. Since data may be lost due to flooding, consider storing it at an off-site location.
Keep at least one corded phone connected to a wall jack to ensure that offices have telecommunications service in the event of an electrical-only outage.
Do not hesitate to go on alert. If a facility is at risk of losing service for an extended period of time, put its Web host provider on alert.

Landline connections can be unreliable during significant flooding and windy conditions, forcing operations to cease. This can mean a significant loss of revenue for businesses and disruption of vital government services that are needed most in recovery operations. Whether an organization needs emergency communications at a fixed site or on-the-move, Hughes can deliver reliable connections during crisis.

Hughes provides an Internet service plan with download speeds of up to 5 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1 Mbps. By using the advanced SPACEWAY© 3 Ka-band satellite system, the plan provides organizations with the flexibility they need in an emergency, requiring only a two-month service commitment and the option to extend it on a month-to-month basis. For organizations that have mobile needs, Hughes offers vehicle-mount, on-the-move terminals that set up quickly and provide emergency Internet access. Every solution is backed by comprehensive 24/7 technical support and next-business day field maintenance.

For more information, visit www.government.hughes.com and click on White Papers in the Resources section to learn more about Hughes Emergency Solutions. To order directly, call 1 (877) 881-8603.

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.

[1] Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Irene, Updated April 11, 2012

[2] http://www.forbes.com/sites/weatherbell/2012/04/03/damaging-hurricanes-could-impact-energy-insurance-industries-in-2012/

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC