HughesNet Sponsors Yukon Quest Race

Broadband Satellite Connects Dogsled Teams, Support Crews, Race Officials and Media Together with the World

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Feb 04, 2015, 09:00 ET

FAIRBANKS, Alaska and GERMANTOWN, Md., Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With 1,000 miles of trail running through 11 northern communities, advanced broadband satellite technology from Hughes will ensure that the 2015 Yukon Quest dogsled race stays connected.

HughesNet, the nation's number one satellite Internet service from Hughes with over one million active users, is the Official Communications Sponsor for the U.S. portion of the race. High-speed Internet access and voice (VoIP) service are essential to quickly and efficiently communicate weather updates, course warnings and other information to make the race safer. Not to mention enabling officials to update results on the website, keeping fans and media around the world updated.

"Communications are such an integral part of the Yukon Quest, particularly with the increase in social media interest over the past few years," said Marti Steury, Yukon Quest Executive Director – Alaska. "We have over 33,000 followers on our Facebook page awaiting up-to-the-minute information, as well as dozens of media travelling the trail and filing stories that are read by millions. As the official communications sponsor in the U.S., HughesNet ensures that the toughest sled dog race in the world can be seen and shared in all corners of the globe."

With nationwide coverage, HughesNet brings the many benefits of high-speed Internet to people and businesses no matter where they live or work—even in ex-urban and rural areas with limited terrestrial broadband, like Alaska. Hughes will provide the equipment and service for race communications, while Alaska Satellite Internet will complete the installations.

"We are proud to provide infrastructure that helps to improve the safety of the race, especially the race teams out on the course," said Peter Gulla, vice president, Marketing, Hughes North America. "Our technology is uniquely qualified to enable race organizers, racers and media to communicate in real-time, across the entire race area, making it a must-have experience for everybody involved."

The 32^nd Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race starts Feb. 7, 2015 in Whitehorse. For up-to-date information and news about the race, visit www.yukonquest.com.

Media interested in attending or covering the 2015 Yukon Quest are invited to register for accreditation by visiting http://yukonquest.com/media/media-accreditation.

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.

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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC