Hughes launches broadband satellite network

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global provider in broadband satellite networks and services, announced the launch of what it claims is the world’s largest and fastest satellite broadband network. The new network will support a variety of consumer, business, enterprise, in-flight and cellular backhaul applications across two continents. The network utilizes the latest JUPITER System technology operating on the recently launched Hughes EchoStar XIX satellite, the world’s highest capacity broadband satellite. It will also operate over EchoStar XVII and the Hughes hosted payload on the Eutelsat 65W satellite. With next year’s launch of Hughes hosted payload on the Telstar 19V satellite, the network will be further enhanced and provide additional coverage in South America.

Supported by 49 gateways and hundreds of spot beams, the network will deliver more than 400 Gbps of capacity for use by consumer and business customers across North and South America. “As the industry’s trusted leader for over four decades, Hughes innovations set the standard for best-in-class satellite broadband solutions,” said Pradman Kaul, President, Hughes. “With EchoStar XIX coming online later in March, Hughes now can draw on more Ka-band satellite capacity than any other satellite operator, and through our industry-leading JUPITER System technology, provide unmatched coverage, efficiency and performance to consumers, businesses and enterprises across the Americas.”

The Hughes JUPITER System is the first and only VSAT platform with System on a Chip (SoC) technology incorporating the latest DVB-S2X air interface standard, wideband 250 MHz carriers operating at more than 1 Gbps, and with through puts of over 100 Mbps on every terminal. The JUPITER system is the market leader for service operators around the world for use with High Throughput Satellite (HTS) and conventional satellites. The Hughes consumer service in the U.S. and Brazil, HughesNet, already has over 1 million subscribers and the new network will be leveraged to enhance and expand these services. Service delivery throughout the coverage area will be through a combination of direct HughesNet services and service partners. The network makes possible a new level of high-speed access services, to be marketed as Hughes HTS, for enterprises and government customers, as well as supporting significant expansion in the scope and performance of the company’s in-flight services for the aero market.