More than 400,000 units shipped are compliant with DVB-S2/IPoS, the world's leading broadband satellite standard approved by TIA, ETSI and ITU, which yields higher throughputs and more efficient bandwidth utilization.

For over 20 years since it conceived and delivered the first VSATs, Hughes has consistently maintained the position of worldwide market leader in satellite networks. These networks provide rapid, reliable transmission of data, voice, video and multimedia to virtually an unlimited number of sites over continent-wide areas covered by geostationary satellites.

"We are proud to have achieved this significant milestone," said Pradman Kaul, Hughes Chairman and CEO. "Everyday, many international organizations, government agencies, major enterprises and in the past few years, a rapidly growing base of small businesses and consumers rely on Hughes broadband satellite technology to stay connected," said Kaul.

"With demand for broadband services expanding in so many ways -- from distance learning, to digital signage, to video conferencing, we expect the growth and penetration of satellite broadband in all market sectors to continue at a healthy rate."

According to a 2007 Northern Sky Research (NSR) report, worldwide demand for broadband satellite terminals is exceeding 19% annual growth rates, with total global shipments of four million units projected by the end of 2011.

"Hughes is an excellent example of a true market leader with the strong ability to identify market challenges, drivers and restraints and to implement successful strategies to address market dynamics," said Violetta Kuvaeva, Frost & Sullivan research analyst, on the occasion recently of Hughes being awarded the 2007 Eastern European and CIS Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership for continuing to maintain its position as market leader for over 20 years.

Keywords: true market leader, worldwide market leader, hughes network systems, geostationary satellites, digital signage, market challenges, bandwidth utilization, market sectors, vsat terminals, global shipments, northern sky, vsats, kaul, Satellite Broadband