GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network
Systems, LLC (Hughes), the global
leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, today
announced that it has signed a contract for $190M with OneWeb for the production of a ground
network system, supporting OneWeb's constellation of Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) satellites in its mission to bring affordable broadband
service to millions of households, schools and other end users
around the world.
This contract builds on the original system development
agreement between the companies signed in June 2015, bringing the total value of both to
over $300M. It includes production of
the gateway sites each with multiple tracking satellite access
points to support operation and handoff of high-speed user traffic
between satellites.
"The start of production of the ground system is a major step
towards fulfilling OneWeb's goal of bridging the digital divide,
leaving no one behind," said Greg
Wyler, Founder and Executive Chairman of OneWeb.
"Hughes has been an outstanding
technology partner and we are excited to deploy this essential part
of our network as we ramp up to launch the first of our fleet early
next year and provide service to every rural home in Alaska starting in 2019."
"Designing a ground system capable of supporting hundreds of
LEOs with seamless handoff of broadband traffic between satellites
presented a significant challenge," said John Corrigan, senior vice president of
Engineering for Hughes. "But our
team was up to the task, and we are proud to be partnering with
OneWeb on realizing this revolutionary satellite communications
system to close the global digital divide."
Joint development of the ground network system began
approximately two years ago. The current agreement includes
equipment to support multiple satellite access points in gateway
locations around the world, each including a custom switching
complex, outdoor modems, and power amplifiers. Shipments are
expected to begin in mid-2018.
About OneWeb
OneWeb's mission is to enable affordable
Internet access for everyone, connect every school on Earth, and
bridge the digital divide by 2027. OneWeb is building a
communications network with a constellation of Low Earth Orbit
satellites that will provide connectivity to billions of people
around the world. With more than 7 terabits per second of new
capacity in its first constellation, it will transparently extend
the networks of mobile operators and ISPs to serve new coverage
areas, bringing voice and data access to consumers, businesses,
schools, healthcare institutions and other end users.
www.oneweb.net
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems,
LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader
in broadband satellite technology and services for home and office.
Its flagship high-speed satellite Internet service is
HughesNet®, the world's largest satellite network with
over 1 million residential and business customers across
North America and Brazil. For large enterprises and governments,
the company's HughesON® managed network services provide
complete connectivity solutions employing an optimized mix of
satellite and terrestrial technologies. The JUPITER™ System is the
world's most widely deployed High-Throughput Satellite (HTS)
platform, operating on more than 20 satellites by leading service
providers, delivering a wide range of broadband enterprise,
mobility and cellular backhaul applications. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 6 million
terminals to customers in over 100 countries, representing
approximately 50 percent market share, and its technology is
powering broadband services to aircraft around the world.
Headquartered outside Washington,
D.C., in Germantown,
Maryland, USA, Hughes
operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global
provider of satellite operations. For additional information about
Hughes, please
visit www.hughes.com and follow @Hughes_Corp on
Twitter.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is
a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions.
Headquartered in Englewood, Colo.,
and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in
secure communications technologies through its Hughes Network
Systems and EchoStar Satellite Services business segments. For more
information, visit echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on
Twitter.
©2017 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company.
Hughes and HughesNet are
registered trademarks and JUPITER is a trademark of Hughes Network
Systems, LLC.
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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC