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Hughes Brings Broadband Internet to AmazonasGERMANTOWN, Md., Nov 24, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in satellite broadband networks and services, today announced that its Brazilian operating entity, Hughes do Brasil, has won a public tender and signed a 36-month contract with PRODAM - Data Processing Company of the State of Amazonas, to deploy a turnkey broadband network solution that combines WiMAX and WiFi access technologies with satellite backhaul. Using this novel solution, PRODAM will provide high-speed wireless Internet access service to customers throughout all 61 municipalities of Amazonas, including government agencies, small businesses, and the public at large. Covered by its huge rainforest and with the world's most voluminous river, the State of Amazonas presents a significant challenge for delivery of high-speed Internet service on such a large and complex geographic scale. The project calls for Hughes to install and operate WiMAX and WiFi wireless base stations in every municipality, together with over 900 wireless customer premises terminals, all as an integrated service delivered over its nationwide HughesNet(R) broadband satellite network. Each base station includes a high performance, Hughes HX broadband satellite router, which manages the backhauling of the IP traffic over satellite channels to the HX hub located in Manaus, the state capital. In Manaus, the hub is connected to PRODAM's data center and to the Internet. "We govern an immense state that has continental dimensions," said Eduardo Braga, governor of the State of Amazonas. "This technology will enhance our ability to better govern the entire territory, improving the dissemination of information to our citizens and assisting decision making in all areas of the administration, be it health, education, public security, or the environment." The contract calls for completion of the installation process within twelve months. In the first phase, 15 municipalities will receive the service, which includes the WiMAX network connecting various public agencies and a Wi-Fi hotspot for wireless public Internet access. "Within 90 days of contract signature, the municipalities of Manacapuru, Itacoatiara, Tefe, and Tabatinga will be up and running. In 200 days we will have all of the first phase operational, followed by the other 46 municipalities in the second phase," said Delio Morais, president of Hughes do Brasil. "Our plan is to make the service available in five municipalities per month, so that by January 2010, the project should be concluded and the connectivity problems in the State of Amazonas will be solved." About PRODAM Amazonas, with 1.5 million square kilometers, is the largest Brazilian State in geographical area. The prime feature of Amazonas is its immense forest, which covers 98% of its area. PRODAM -- the data processing company of the State of Amazonas -- is responsible for providing specialized IT-based services to agencies and departments with the State administration, a very complex challenge due to the difficulties presented by Amazonas' geography. About HUGHES Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com. (C) 2008 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC http://www.hughes.com |