Hughes Network Systems Introduces Satellite-based Virtual Private Network Solution

Hughes Network Systems Introduces Satellite-based Virtual Private
Network Solution
DIRECWAY(R) VPN Accelerator Answers Growing Demand for Teleworking in Both
Urban and Rural Locations 


GERMANTOWN, Md., Sept. 14  /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS),
the world's leading provider of satellite broadband solutions, which it markets
under the DIRECWAY(R) brand, today introduced a satellite-based virtual private
network (VPN) acceleration technology.  Based on the IPsec standard, DIRECWAY
VPN Accelerator enables enterprises and government agencies to implement
uniformly efficient and secure, wide area broadband networks, reaching
teleworker employees at any location, urban or rural.

There are approximately 24 million teleworkers in both the private and public
sectors throughout the United States today.  In order to satisfy the remote
networking demands unleashed by this fast growing trend, organizations are
increasingly moving from conventional leased lines or frame relay technology to
broadband satellite-based solutions.

DIRECWAY's continent-wide service now offers an advanced VPN acceleration
technology to connect teleworkers located at branch offices or homes, anywhere,
to their private intranets.  DIRECWAY VPN Accelerator has been designed to
interoperate seamlessly with industry standard Nortel IPsec VPN solutions, and
in later releases, with Check Point and Cisco systems.  It enables the
implementation of uniformly secure and responsive VPNs, eliminating the latency
constraints of prior satellite-based VPNs.

"DIRECWAY VPN Accelerator allows organizations to expand the use of satellites
to all teleworkers, wherever they are located, without the geographic
limitations of DSL or cable.  DIRECWAY service is available today, everywhere
in the U.S., from a single national provider, Hughes Network Systems,"
explained Emil Regard, HNS vice president of North America strategic marketing.
 "Enterprises and government organizations alike can now unlock the benefits of
an efficient and connected force of teleworkers in a truly universal network."

According to the International Telework Association and Council, teleworking
has grown by over 40 percent since 2001.  The study also finds that 42 percent
of employees telecommute from home at least one day per week and 22 percent of
employees work from home daily.  Growth in teleworking is higher in the
government than in the private sector, having nearly doubled since 2001. 
Currently, the U.S. Congress is trying to increase the number of government
employees who have the option to telework.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV
Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network
solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 750,000 systems ordered
or shipped to customers in 85 countries.  HNS pioneered the development of
high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under
the DIRECWAY(R) brand.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS
maintains sales and support offices worldwide.  The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
(NYSE:DTV) is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is
approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.  For additional
information, please visit http://www.hns.com/.

Hughes, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of The DIRECTV
Group, Inc.  Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

DATASOURCE: Hughes Network Systems, Inc.



CONTACT:  Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, Inc., [phone],

; or John Hallock of Brodeur Worldwide, [phone],

, for Hughes Network Systems, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.hns.com/

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