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Telkom Kenya Selects Hughes Network Systems' DIRECWAY to Launch New Broadband Services

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 December 2003, 06:00 CST

GERMANTOWN, Md., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), the world's leading provider of broadband satellite solutions, announced today that Telkom Kenya Limited (TKL), the national Kenyan telephone network provider, has purchased a DIRECWAY(R) broadband satellite network, including a hub earth station and associated remote satellite terminals.

The new Ku-band hub is located in Nairobi and is capable of providing affordable broadband services across all of Kenya, a key component of TKL's expanded service, which was launched in July. After careful evaluation of other satellite options, TKL determined that HNS offered a superior solution and the best in-country support.

"HNS, through its strategic relationship with Communications Carrier Limited (Comm Carrier), was able to offer TKL a solution that meets the requirements of our customers today, with the flexibility to easily expand the network in the future," said Eng JN Waweru, managing director of Telkom Kenya Limited. "The DIRECWAY solution will enable us to provide inexpensive universal broadband services anywhere in Kenya."

DIRECWAY makes it possible to provide broadband applications to large and small companies alike, as well as to government agencies that require reliable high bandwidth solutions.

"We are pleased to be associated with a leading satellite solutions provider such as Hughes Network Systems," said Anjum Chaudry, CEO of Communications Carrier. "With HNS' technology and our in-country support, we are able to provide TKL with the complete network and support services they need to provide a variety of applications such as corporate data networks, voice, trunking and ISP services."

"At HNS, it is our business to deliver broadband satellite solutions that improve the way businesses and governments communicate in Africa and around the globe," said Soheil Mehrabanzad, regional director for the Middle East/Africa at Hughes Network Systems. "DIRECWAY will enable TKL to provide a wealth of new broadband applications to both corporate and government sectors that are investing in reliable, high-bandwidth network solutions."

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation (HUGHES), is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 600,000 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. In addition, HNS is a leading manufacturer of DIRECTV(R) satellite television receivers, having shipped more than 13 million to date.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The earnings of HUGHES are used to calculate the earnings attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock . To learn more about HNS, please visit http://www.hns.com/.

About Telkom Kenya Limited

Telkom Kenya Ltd operates the national telephone network in Kenya, which was formerly KPTC. Telkom Kenya has four subsidiaries: Safaricom, which operates a cellular phone network (in partnership with Vodafone Airtouch with 40 percent shares), Gilgil Telecommunication Industries, manufacturers of telecommunication and postal products (telephone handsets, PABX systems etc), Kenya Postel Directories Ltd (publishes the yearly telephone directory), and Kenya College of Telecommunications Technology, which offers training to the communications sector. Telkom Kenya also offers a satellite-based communication service utilizing very small aperture terminals (VSATs), Kensat, and operates Jambonet, which links local Internet service providers to the rest of the world. Other facilities include a digital leased line service, Kenstream, and an analog packet switching service, Kenpac.

Communications Carrier Limited

Comm Carrier was incorporated in 1994, and is one of the Pegrume Group of companies. Comm Carrier is licensed by the Communications Commission of Kenya to resell leased circuits (including VSAT bandwidth).

The group has been closely involved with telecommunications development in Kenya. Extensive experience in various aspects of the industry has enabled it to develop and implement large national networks for major corporations.

Comm Carrier, through its strategic relationship with HNS, provides cost- effective integrated satellite business solutions for the transmission of voice, data, and video communications. VSAT (very small aperture terminal) technology knows no geographical or environmental barriers, and is reliable (availability typically 99.5%), scalable, and secure. VSATs can support multiple protocols on a customer's network simultaneously and facilitates predictability in communication costs.

HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Hughes Network Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, Inc., +1-301-601-7330,jblake@hns.com; Lara Kline of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-202-828-9758,klinel@fleishman.com, for Hughes Network Systems, Inc.

Web site: http://www.hns.com/

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