Xplornet and Hughes Sign Agreement for Echostar XIX High Throughput Satellite Broadband Capacity over Canada

May 14, 2014

Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced that Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada's largest rural broadband provider, has committed to a lifetime lease for all of the Canadian satellite broadband capacity on Hughes' Echostar XIX, a next-generation high throughput satellite due for launch in mid-2016. In addition to satellite capacity, Xplornet will take delivery of satellite gateways, operational and support services and consumer user terminals in a program that is expected to be worth more than $200 million.

"This agreement for all of the Canadian broadband capacity on the upcoming Echostar XIX satellite is another milestone in our long and successful relationship with Hughes," said Allison Lenehan, CEO of Xplornet. He added, "This capacity will enable us to continue to meet the growing demands of our rural customers. We are investing to deliver on the promise of making faster, more affordable high-speed Internet service available for every Canadian."

Built by Space Systems Loral and planned for launch in mid-2016, EchoStar XIX will have over 160 Gbps throughput, approximately 50 percent more capacity than EchoStar XVII which was launched in 2012, and is the primary platform supporting over 916,000 HughesNet users across the USA. The new satellite is being designed with next-generation architecture with more than 120 spot beams, facilitating the delivery of high-quality, high-speed services for at least 15 years.

"We are delighted that Xplornet has again chosen to partner with Hughes for next-generation satellite capacity and technology," said Mike Cook, senior vice president, Hughes. "As the worldwide market leader in the provision of satellite broadband services and technology, we are excited to continue to work with them to bring more speed, more efficiency and an enhanced user experience to the Canadian market."