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Hughes Launches Inter-Government Crisis Network

Posted on: Thursday, 8 January 2009, 12:30 CST

Provides Agencies with Unprecedented Communications Reliability and Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response

GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced the launch of its Inter-Government Crisis Network (IGCN), a unique satellite-based solution that enables government agencies to communicate securely and reliably in preparing for and responding to an emergency --- when terrestrial networks are most vulnerable to failure.

According to a recent Frost & Sullivan whitepaper entitled: The Case for an Inter-Governmental Crisis Network, January 7, 2009, the primary problem is not the ability of first responders to communicate with each other in the field, but the inability to coordinate multi-agency response efforts at the decision-maker level. The report reviews the limitations of existing terrestrial-only networks, which cannot meet the high reliability, security and robustness demanded by such an ideal multi-agency network, and presents a comprehensive 6-point summary of key requirements that would greatly increase the ability of the government to serve its constituents in any crisis.

IGCN operates over SPACEWAY(R) 3 from Hughes, the world's first commercial satellite system with onboard switching and routing, providing flexible and cost-effective broadband connectivity throughout North America for federal, state, and local government agencies. With the unique capability to instantly create any number of user groups on demand when a crisis hits, IGCN results in a cyber-attack safe, cost-effective environment that is unaffected by events on the ground and is interoperable among multiple agencies and levels of government.

"Leaders at all levels of government need to effectively communicate, coordinate and share critical information in the face of any emergency," said Pradman Kaul, CEO of Hughes. "IGCN provides the highly reliable, secure and robust communications networking that is essential to meet this requirement -- regardless of the circumstances on the ground."

The key benefits of IGCN based on SPACEWAY(R) 3 capabilities include:

• Bandwidth-on-Demand: unique bandwidth-on-demand feature supports multiple classes of service, including Constant Bit Rate (CBR) applications such as voice, video-conferencing, and new high-definition telepresence applications;
• Path-diversity: offers a true alternate path, redundant networking option ensuring that an agency can stay connected even if its primary terrestrial network fails;
• Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-20: facilitates compliance with the HSPD-20 requirement that agencies provide for "the availability and redundancy of critical communications capabilities at alternate sites..."
• Security: it operates independently of the Internet, so member networks have the benefit of communications connectivity without potential breaches of security;
• Interoperability: enables agencies to establish pre-defined user groups as needed and on demand, facilitating rapid and responsive communications during a crisis;
• Compliance with National Response Framework (NRF): ensures communications continuity among inter-governmental leadership in support of NRF requirements to restore public safety communications systems;
• Cost-effective: provides flexible architecture and selectable service plans.

IGCN is available from Hughes via the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) SATCOM-II and Networx contract vehicles, GSA Schedule 70, and trusted partners.

Hughes announced the IGCN launch by showcasing its capabilities live via a satellite network to an audience of government and industry information technology (IT) leaders at CES Government 2009 in Lake Las Vegas, Nevada. Hughes representatives demonstrated the high-availability, live media conferencing capability broadcasting from three simultaneous locations: Lake Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington, DC; and its headquarters in Germantown, Maryland.

CES Government is the premiere annual policy conference addressing critical issues that drive the acquisition and application of technology in government. Attendance is limited to 200 senior public and private sector attendees. Attendees are selected from past conference participants, as well as recommendations from the CES Government Advisory Board and Government Business Executive Forum.

To obtain a copy of the Frost & Sullivan whitepaper, go to www.gov.hughes.com.

About Hughes Network Systems

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(R) 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.

Hughes, HughesNet, and SPACEWAY are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC

Source: PR Newswire

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