Hughes Network Systems Supplies JSC Ukrainian Satellite Systems with DIRECWAY(R) Broadband DIRECWAY Enables UkrSat to Offer Enhanced Services Throughout Ukraine GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), the world's leading provider of broadband satellite solutions, which it markets under the DIRECWAY(R) brand, announced an expansion of HNS' relationship with JSC Ukrainian Satellite Systems (UkrSat), a leading Ukrainian satellite services company. Under the new agreement, HNS will supply UkrSat with a DIRECWAY Network Operations Center (NOC) and DW6000 remote satellite terminals. UkrSat's customers include many government organizations such as; Ukrainian Presidential Administration, Ukraine Parliament and Ministry Cabinet, Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Ukrainian Security Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Bank of Ukraine, Ministry of Finance and numerous other state institutions and departments. In addition, the United Nations Agency in Ukraine and several banks, commercial enterprises, and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are also served by UkrSat. To meet the growing demand in the Ukrainian market for enhanced broadband services, UkrSat decided to upgrade its current HNS-supplied satellite system with the latest HNS offering -- the two-way, IP-based DIRECWAY solution. "UkrSat and HNS have had a mutually beneficial relationship for the past eight years," said Boris Nepomnyashiy, Chairman of the Board at UkrSat. "UkrSat was the first enterprise in Ukraine to offer satellite services and our continued success proves the wisdom of choosing HNS as a strategic partner. We look forward to further growth and the advancement of satellite services in Ukraine with HNS' latest offering, DIRECWAY." The new Network Operations Center will support broadband access to the Internet with flexible service levels for end users, high-speed, high- performance corporate networks, and low-cost end user terminals. Initial applications include IP-based data transmission and Internet/intranet access for corporate customers and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Additional applications will be added as demand warrants. "Satellite is the only solution that can provide business-class broadband access throughout Ukraine and DIRECWAY is the proven choice by service providers worldwide," said Arunas Slekys, vice president of corporate marketing and general manager of Russia/NIS/Baltic region for Hughes Network Systems. "We are proud to expand our successful relationship with UkrSat and to support them in opening up new and significant market opportunities in this rapidly growing region." About JSC Ukrainian Satellite Systems Joint Stock Company (JSC) Ukrainian Satellite Systems (UkrSat) was founded in 1993, and is now the largest and leading Ukrainian operator and system integration company, providing a full range of information and telecommunication services based on satellite technology. UkrSat develops and implements end-to-end solutions for global, national and local information and telecommunication systems. A key feature distinguishing UkrSat from other system integration companies in Ukraine is its high capacity teleport with the most advanced satellite communications control center, a fiber optic backbone network, and external redundant communication channels to the US, Europe, and Russia. These facilities provide secure, reliable, and immediate direct access to world-class information centers and national Internet resources. To learn more about UkrSat, please visit http://www.ukrsat.ua/. About Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 750,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY(R) brand. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The DIRECTV Group, Inc. NYSE: DTV) is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For additional information, please visit http://www.hns.com/ HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. DATASOURCE: Hughes Network Systems, Inc. CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, Inc., +1-301-601-733, ; or Colleen Stroh of Brodeur Worldwide, +1-202-775-2648, , for Hughes Network Systems, Inc. Web site: http://www.hns.com/ http://www.ukrsat.ua/

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