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Hughes Readies Satellite Equipment and Installation Teams in Anticipation of Hurricane Rita

September 23, 2005

GERMANTOWN, Md., /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of Hurricane Rita, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) is pre-positioning satellite terminals and installation teams near areas likely to be affected. This enables HNS to rapidly deploy and provision satellite communications as soon as weather conditions subside. HNS is contacting both current customers and rescue and relief agencies to assess their voice and data communications requirements in the face of this latest hurricane.

After Hurricane Katrina, HNS and its value-added resellers provided emergency satellite communications in many hard-hit areas, to government and military agencies, small businesses, news reporters, and relief organizations, churches and schools. From transportable ATM machines, to high-speed Internet access for families to stay connected, and for medical centers to process records and order prescription drugs, satellite technology provided the communications lifeline.

"For over twenty years, satellite networks have provided vital day-to-day communications for businesses and government agencies around the world. And as we have seen with Hurricane Katrina, satellite technology is robust and can be deployed quickly when disaster strikes," said Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes Network Systems. "It provides instant infrastructure where it's needed, when terrestrial networks are severely damaged. We are poised to respond in the face of Hurricane Rita."

HNS has developed a simplified process to expedite service in emergency situations, eliminating minimum order and term commitment requirements. Companies, government agencies, and rescue and relief organizations can access the HNS Website at https://sf1.hns.com/emergencyservices/index.html to obtain detailed information and begin the expedited process.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 800,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services and IP-based networks, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY® brand. DIRECWAY terminals are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by TIA, ETSI, and the ITU standards organizations.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SKYT - News) and The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTV - News) each own 50% of HNS. SkyTerra is its managing member. For additional information, please visit http://www.hns.com.

HUGHES and Hughes Network Systems are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. DIRECWAY is a trademark of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.