EchoStar XVII Satellite with JUPITER High Throughput Technology Successfully Positioned in Orbital Slot

July 23, 2012

Hughes Network Systems, LLC  announced it will begin testing of its new EchoStar XVII satellite with JUPITER(TM) high-throughput technology, following the successful placement into its permanent geosynchronous orbital slot of 107.1 degrees West longitude last week.

Orbiting at 22,300 miles above the earth, the new generation Ka-band satellite was launched by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana on July 5, 2012. Space Systems/Loral manufactured EchoStar XVII, which is designed with a high capacity, multi-spot beam architecture that will expand coverage on areas with the highest traffic demand by consumers and businesses in North America.

"The launch and positioning of EchoStar XVII is a significant milestone for Hughes, as it will be the cornerstone for our HughesNet® Gen4 satellite Internet service," said Paul Gaske, Hughes executive vice president and general manager, North America Division. "With well over 100 Gbps capacity, EchoStar XVII will build on the success of our SPACEWAY® 3 satellite--the world's largest commercial satellite network, expanding high-speed satellite Internet access in North America to over 1.5 million new consumer and small business subscribers. Hughes pioneered the satellite broadband industry, and with HughesNet Gen4 we will deliver customers a media-rich Internet experience like never before."

HughesNet Gen4 will dramatically improve Internet browsing performance and high-bandwidth video and music applications. Hughes expects to begin commercial operations this fall.