Latest News :  1/21/2004
 

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Hughes Network Systems
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Hughes Network Systems Supplies Broadband Wireless to Major European Mobile, Fixed-Line and Internet Operator

System Will Connect Cellular Base Stations for Wind Telecomunicazioni S.p.A.


Germantown, Md., USA, January 21, 2004 -- Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), the world’s leading provider of broadband satellite and wireless access systems, announced today it has formalized a Frame Agreement with major European telecommunications company, Wind Telecomunicazioni S.p.A., to deploy the AIReach® Broadband 9000 wireless access system nationwide in Italy. Wind will use the AIReach 26 GHz system in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations for the backhauling of second- and third-generation cellular networks and for Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) last-mile access.

Wind is one of the leading service providers in Europe with more than 30 million customers (9.2 million cellular users, 7.5 million landline clients, and 13.9 million Internet subscribers).

According to Wind, the selection of HNS for the nationwide Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS) was determined by the scalability and adaptability of the AIReach broadband platform. Also, the AIReach system has proven to be compatible and efficient for backhaul with GSM and UMTS base stations from all Wind infrastructure suppliers. The choice of HNS provides Wind with state-of-the-art LMDS technology at a very competitive price.

“We are very pleased to have been selected as Wind’s supplier for 26 GHz broadband wireless systems. Wind has ambitious plans for deploying broadband wireless solutions across all of Italy. With the AIReach wireless access system, they will be able to fulfill their plans,” said Dario Mulassano, senior director of sales in HNS Europe’s Rome office.

In addition to the provision of AIReach broadband base stations and terminal stations, the contract also includes network planning, implementation, project management, and other network services. These will be provided by Sirti, a leading Italian company in the area of professional network services.

“Sirti is proud to have been selected by HNS to provide a variety of network services for such an important customer as Wind and to contribute to the success of this project,” said Giuseppe Triolo, Sirti’s sales director.

The AIReach system implemented in a point-to-point configuration can easily be converted to multipoint simply by changing the base station antenna from a narrow-beam antenna focused on one remote site to a 90-degree antenna capable of connecting to dozens of remote sites.

“The HNS solution was selected by Wind following a rigorous technical and economic evaluation of bids from at least eight major microwave and broadband wireless suppliers,” according to Tom Hsu, senior vice president and general manager of the Broadband Carrier Networks division at HNS.

The AIReach Broadband 9000 hub/base station supports multiple E1, E3 ATM, STM-1 ATM, and 10/100BaseT interfaces, while the remote terminals collocated with cellular base stations support multiple E1, 10/100BaseT and ATM ports at speeds up to 30 Mbps, configurable for both dedicated and bandwidth-on-demand traffic.

About Wind Telecomunicazioni S.p.A.
Established in 1997, Wind is the sole operator in Europe offering integrated fixed, Internet and mobile telecommunications solutions.

Wind manages Europe’s deepest and most extensive TLC network run by a non-incumbent operator. Wind covers more than 94% of the Italian population with its mobile network, offers fixed telephony and Internet services over the entire national territory and has a more than 18,000 kilometer fiber optic backbone.

Wind is the leading non-incumbent operator on the Italian fixed telephony market, runs Italy’s most successful Internet portal (Italia On Line) and is the Italian largest Internet Service Provider (ISP). Wind is also Italy’s third largest mobile player, with a 16% market share gained in just three years from launch of its mobile service. For more information about Wind, please visit www.wind.it.

About Sirti S.p.A.
Sirti is leading Italian engineering company specializing in the provision of telecommunication networks and systems. Sirti’s wide experience and in-depth technical expertise allow Sirti to provide customers with solutions in various areas of telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT).

Sirti provides solutions to a variety of customers who need to use their network infrastructure as a strategic asset in the development of business, for instance telecommunication operators, as well as large public users such as government agencies, railways and large private corporations. Today, the Sirti group is staffed with over 6,000 employees, and in 2002 the company had achieved a consolidated turnover of 760 million Euros. For addition information, please visit www.sirti.com.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS) 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 is also a market leader in broadband wireless
access systems for telecommunications service providers. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY® brand. In addition, HNS is a leading manufacturer of DIRECTV® satellite television receivers, having shipped more than 14 million to date.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. HNS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation (HUGHES). HUGHES (NYSE:HS) is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For additional information, please visit www.hns.com.



   
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