HughesNet Broadband Satellite Surpasses 300,000 Subscribers

GERMANTOWN, Md., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite network solutions and services, today announced that the number of HughesNet(TM) small business and residential subscribers grew to 300,000 during the second quarter of 2006, representing a 19 percent increase over this time last year.

"Today's consumers want to download songs and movie clips and e-mail pictures to and from family and friends," said Jimmy Schaeffler, chairman and CEO of the Carmel Group. "Not surprisingly, larger percentages of consumers living in areas overlooked by terrestrial broadband providers are migrating to satellite for their broadband needs," said Schaeffler.

During the first half of 2006, the company averaged more than 10,000 new subscribers a month. Significant growth was seen in the high-performance professional and small business service plans that Hughes introduced last fall.

"The new range of high-performance service plans we launched in September 2005 are generating considerable demand and we have seen a significant increase in the uptake of these premium services," said Mike Cook, senior vice president of Hughes. "During the last few months, we have successfully launched HughesNet as our new service brand and introduced enhanced ISP services, thus solidifying our position as the ISP of choice to deliver broadband services to underserved consumers and small businesses across America."

Cook added, "Achieving this milestone is a clear demonstration that we have continued our momentum into 2006, and are meeting the demands of the customers we serve."

HughesNet is a two-way broadband satellite Internet service available anywhere in the contiguous United States with a clear view of the southern sky. To order HughesNet service, please visit http://www.myhughesnet.com/ or call 1-866-556-9660.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Hughes has shipped more than 1 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (OTC: HGCM) (BULLETIN BOARD: HGCM) . For additional information, please visit http://www.hughes.com/.

HUGHES, HUGHESNET, and IPOS are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.