Telecom Malagasy Expands GSM Services with Hughes Satellite Technology

Additional HX System terminals and hub expand Telma's satellite network to support GSM backhaul and voice connectivity to rural areas

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Hughes Network Systems, LLC

May 22, 2012, 07:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md. and JOHANNESBURG, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SatCom Africa -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, today announced that it has been awarded an expansion contract by Telecom Malagasy SA (Telma) to supply additional HX System remote terminals and an HX hub to expand Telma's existing GSM backhaul project. The network supports GSM 2G/EDGE voice and data, and broadband data applications throughout Madagascar.

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"In 2005, Hughes provided us with the Hughes HN System Network Operating Center (NOC) and broadband satellite terminals, which are being used to deliver rural telephony, corporate telephony, and Internet and intranet access," said Patrick Pisal Hamida, CEO of Telma. "In 2007, we purchased a Hughes HX System NOC and broadband satellite terminals, which are being used to deliver wireless backhaul services. We chose Hughes for this expansion as we have been very satisfied with the full carrier-class backhauling service we receive and the long-standing, excellent relationship we have. Malagasy people in remote area will benefit immediately from this upgrade and will enjoy better and faster services."

"We are very pleased to continue our strong relationship with Telma," said Kannan Soupramanien, area sales director at Hughes. "Our HX System enables Telma to provide GSM backhaul with higher availability. We will begin installation this July and expect to have the expansion completed within the month."

Operational on five continents and supporting over one million broadband terminal sites, the HX System is the most advanced and widely deployed satellite networking infrastructure in the marketplace and is fully compliant with the IP over Satellite (IPoS0 global standard – the world's first to be approved by TIA, ETSI, and ITU. The recently announced HX Systems 4.0 platform delivers high-speed IP services over satellite, supporting an expanding range of multi-media, video, data, and voice applications.

About Telecom Malagasy SA
Started in the 19th century, Telma is the telecommunications organization in Madagascar and the only operator to provide fixed-mobile-data services.

Privatized in 2004, the company achieved strong commercial results in a highly competitive sector by challenging the existing duopoly, and has a unique track record of launching innovation products in all Telecom market segments in Madagascar.

Since 2005, Telma has invested US $70 million in a 3,300 km national fiber optic backbone network; Telma is also the first contributor to the EASSY submarine cable, which connected the island to the world in 2010. Last April, Telma launched its Mobile Money service called "MVOLA" (www.mvola.mg). With the launch of Western Union Mobile, Telma strengthened its position as the most innovative operator in a country with strong growth potential.

For more information, please visit www.telma.mg or contact Telma at [email protected].

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.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC