Hughes Technology Selected by Media Networks for Ka-Band Service in Latin America

Aug. 5, 2013

Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced that it was selected by Media Networks -- a B2B unit of Telefonica Digital­ -- to supply a JUPITER^™ High-Throughput System (HTS) to power the first commercial Ka-band service over Latin America.

Media Networks is the major wholesale distributor of satellite direct-to-home (DTH) television services in Latin America and is also the largest wholesale distributor of Ku-band satellite Internet service in the region. With this project, Media Networks will expand into delivering high-speed satellite Internet access to households, using the Hispasat Amazonas-3 Ka-band satellite.

"MNLA conducted a very careful evaluation of the major satellite networking systems available and found the JUPITER System to meet all of our stringent criteria. We are pleased to work with Hughes in this important project that will enable residential segments in Latin America to gain access to satellite broadband services for the first time in the region," said Werner Schuler, CEO of Media Networks.

"Hughes is proud to have been selected by Media Networks for the first Ka-band system deployment in Latin America," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "It's a testimony to the advanced capabilities and performance of our JUPITER System, which is helping power record growth of our HughesNet^® service in North America -- and I'm confident will soon enable Media Networks to succeed in the southern half of our hemisphere."     

Hughes will supply Media Networks with its high-density JUPITER Gateway stations and integrated Network Management System (NMS), including advanced OSS functionality, to effectively manage a large population of Hughes broadband satellite terminals. Delivery of the System is scheduled for Q4 of 2013.

Media Networks is the first customer of the new JUPITER System outside of North America. Expressly designed for high-capacity service networks, JUPITER features a very dense and robust gateway architecture with lights-out operation, enhanced IPoS air interface for efficiency and performance, and high-throughput terminals. To develop this project, Media Networks facilities include its NOC in Lima, Peru, and two gateways located in Arica, Chile, and Laredo, Texas.