Hughes Begins Final Testing of World's Highest Capacity Broadband Satellite

Upon Successful Completion of In-Orbit Testing, Company Accepts Handover of EchoStar XIX from Space Systems Loral

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Feb 15, 2017, 08:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced the successful completion of in-orbit testing and handover of EchoStar XIX from Space Systems Loral (SSL), manufacturers of this next-generation, Ka-band high-throughput satellite.

Placed into geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the earth, the world's highest capacity broadband satellite was successfully launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida on December 18, 2016, and extensive in-orbit testing was completed in an extremely efficient manner.

"Accepting handover of EchoStar XIX begins the final testing phase in preparation for commercial launch of our fifth-generation HughesNet® service," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "As providers of America's #1 high-speed satellite Internet service, we are excited to now further expand availability of even faster speeds and more data for our customers across the nation. The rapid completion of in-orbit testing is a testament to how well our Hughes and SSL teams worked side-by-side over the last several months to ensure a smooth and successful outcome."

Designed with Hughes JUPITER™ System technology, EchoStar XIX is a Ka-band, high-throughput satellite with 138 beams covering the continental United States, Alaska, Mexico and parts of Canada and Central America. It will power HughesNet Gen5, the next generation of high-speed satellite Internet service in the U.S., delivering more speed, more data, and more advanced features to consumers and small businesses no matter the location.

EchoStar XIX joins EchoStar XVII, which has been in service since 2012, and will enable HughesNet to more than double its current capacity—with more than 1 million subscribers, the nation's largest satellite service. HughesNet also was recently ranked first in delivering advertised speeds in the Federal Communication Commission's 2016 "Measuring Broadband in America" report for the second year in a row.

Hughes expects EchoStar XIX to be placed into service at the end of the first quarter of 2017. For more information on EchoStar XIX and HughesNet Gen5, visit www.hughesnet.com/Gen5.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the global leader in satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative technology solutions and a comprehensive suite of HughesON^™ managed services for enterprises and governments worldwide. 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 5 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.

About EchoStar

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

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC