Hughes Network Systems has announced that it will launch a next-generation, high throughput satellite in the first quarter 2012 to expand its rapidly growing HughesNet broadband Internet service across North America. Designed to deliver over 100 Gbps throughput, the new Hughes satellite will utilize an enhanced version of the IPoS standard, the world's leading broadband satellite standard approved by ETSI, TIA and ITU."This is a very exciting time for Hughes," said Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes.
"In a little over a year since successfully launching HughesNet service on SPACEWAY 3, we are once again poised to push the envelope and bring a sophisticated, high throughput satellite to market-based on cutting-edge industry standards, and with capabilities that position us well into the future as a successful integrated satellite service provider."
Employing a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture, the new geostationary satellite will provide significant additional capacity for HughesNet service in North America .
Its capabilities will augment the successful SPACEWAY 3 satellite system, the world's first with on-board switching and routing, which Hughes put into commercial service in April, 2008.
Space Systems/Loral has been selected to manufacture the new Hughes satellite, based on its SSL 1300 platform, which has the proven flexibility for a broad range of applications and is expected to provide service for 15 years or more.
"We are very pleased to add Hughes to our list of valued customers," said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral.
"Satellites for broadband communications are playing an important role in making high-speed Internet service available throughout the country. Space Systems/Loral is on the leading edge of manufacturing the high-power, broadband satellites that enable this type of service."