GMPCS Places Order for Broadband Terminals

May 10, 2005

GMPCS Personal Communications placed an initial order with Hughes Network Systems for 1,000 HNS 9201 broadband satellite IP terminals for use with Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) mobile satellite service. The deal with Hughes makes GMPCS the first satellite communications service provider to place an order for the terminals that will usher in the new global broadband service anticipated to begin in late 2005.

The capabilities of BGAN will include the delivery of Internet and intranet content and solutions, LAN and WAN connectivity, video on demand, videoconferencing, fax, e-mail, phone and local area network access at speeds of up to 492 kbps. Markets for these services encompass both the existing customers of Inmarsat - which include users from the military, forestry, media, mining, petroleum, governments and agency segments - as well as new markets focusing on corporate users and enterprise solutions.

The HNS 9201 terminal will work over the BGAN satellite network supporting simultaneous sending and receiving of IP packet and circuit-switched data via USB, Ethernet, ISDN and Wi-Fi interfaces.

“GMPCS is poised to begin offering a full range of BGAN services and equipment beginning on ‘day one’ of the new Inmarsat broadband service,” said Jon Klein, vice president and general manager of GMPCS. “Hughes Network Systems has been on schedule every step of the way through the BGAN development process and we are very excited that our initial order of HNS 9201 terminals will insure that we will have their equipment available to meet customer demand the day the service begins.” “Hughes Network Systems is extremely pleased that GMPCS has signed an equipment sales agreement for Hughes BGAN terminals and their placing of the first equipment order,” said Bill Lindsay, senior program manager for Hughes Network Systems. “Hughes and GMPCS have enjoyed a mutually beneficial business partnership for a number of years and we believe that GMPCS will be a key partner for our BGAN satellite equipment.”