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Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced the availability of Hughes Emergency Solutions to help businesses and government offices prepare for the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially began June 1. The satellite solutions, which include emergency response, continuity of operations (COOP) and network restoration, offer path-diverse options for agencies and businesses to maintain broadband connectivity, even when disaster strikes.

Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) have forecasted a slower than usual season with nine named storms, however, CSU anticipates three hurricanes will make landfall and one will be a major storm with winds over 110 mph.¹ During a hurricane it is both critical, and difficult, to maintain Internet connectivity. According to a survey conducted by Hughes regarding hurricane Katrina, 37 percent of small businesses in the area affected were left without broadband for more than five business days. Nearly one-quarter of those businesses reported resulting losses of more than $25,000.

"As we've unfortunately seen time and time before, it only takes one major storm to bring everything down," said Tony Bardo, assistant vice president for Government Solutions at Hughes. "The best time to respond to a disaster is before it happens. Disaster-ready agencies are better prepared to continue normal operations during the disaster and provide needed services to the public throughout the disaster and in its aftermath—and secure, reliable communications are essential for preparedness."