July 22, 2014

Hughes Network Systems, LLC and Thales Defense & Security, Inc., a global leader in aerospace, transportation, defense and security technologies, today announced they have successfully tested a rapidly deployable Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobile networking solution via satellite. The solution leverages the powerful combination of Hughes SPACEWAY^® 3 and JUPITER^™ high-throughput technologies, connecting with the Thales B-14 system-on-wheels. This robust and private network solution can be deployed virtually anywhere, making it ideal for emergency response networks such as FirstNet, the nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network.

"The key to emergency preparedness and response is ensuring first responders can communicate with each other and with Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) to share information about the disaster and coordinate the response to it—no matter where they are located," said Tony Bardo, Assistant Vice President for Government Solutions at Hughes. "This successful test proves that Hughes satellite technology and systems, combined with Thales LTE deployable system-on-wheels, provides the public safety community with a mobile networking solution that is easy to use, dependable, and enhances capabilities over current narrowband voice radio systems."

Hughes and Thales conducted situational testing operating on the 700MHz public safety spectrum to validate the solution's performance and interoperability with public safety network requirements. Using readily available smartphones and vehicular modems, first responders are able to easily communicate and share video with each other and EOCs via this local deployable broadband network.

"Cellular and broadband networks see the most congestion right after a catastrophe," said Lewis Johnston, Vice President of Advanced Programs at Thales. "As people scramble to reach loved ones, first responders spring into action, facing the same communication challenges as the general public at a time when the need to communicate between each other and with EOCs is the most critical. Our deployable 4G/LTE secured communications solution enables the security, availability and resilience of mission-critical applications to solve this problem, which is vital to the public safety mission."

The test marks Hughes' latest innovation for the public safety community and emergency operators, ensuring secure, reliable connectivity using the latest combined mobile and satellite communications technologies. Previously, Hughes successfully tested its satellite solutions for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) backhaul for two Cabinet-level agencies and in multiple states, including Louisiana's Department of Public Safety.