Xplornet and Hughes Sign Agreement for EchoStar XIX Satellite

Xplornet commits over $200 Million to acquire all Canadian capacity On upcoming High Throughput Satellite for Rural Broadband

WOODSTOCK, NB, May 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada's leading rural broadband service provider, today announced that it has committed to Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), to a lifetime lease for all of the Canadian satellite broadband capacity on Hughes' EchoStar XIX, a next-generation high throughput satellite due for launch in mid-2016. In addition to satellite capacity, Xplornet will take delivery of satellite gateways, operational and support services and consumer user terminals in a program that is expected to be worth more than $200 Million.

Today, Xplornet offers high-speed Internet on its existing hybrid satellite and wireless broadband network, including on the existing Hughes EchoStar XVII satellite. This new capacity will enable Xplornet to offer faster speeds and more data, meaning even greater value to its rural Canadian customers.

"We are delighted that Xplornet have again chosen to partner with Hughes for next-generation satellite capacity and technology," said Mike Cook, senior vice president, Hughes. "As the worldwide market leader in the provision of satellite broadband services and technology, we are excited to continue to work with them to bring more speed, more efficiency and an enhanced user experience to the Canadian market."

"This agreement for all of the Canadian broadband capacity on the upcoming EchoStar XIX satellite is another milestone in our long and successful relationship with Hughes," said Allison Lenehan, CEO of Xplornet. He further added, "This capacity will enable us to continue to meet the growing demands of our rural customers. We are investing to deliver on the promise of making faster, more affordable high-speed Internet service available for every Canadian - connecting them to what matters."

Built by Space Systems Loral, EchoStar XIX is planning to launch mid-2016 with over 160 Gbps throughput, about 50 percent greater capacity than EchoStar XVII, which was launched in 2012 and is the primary platform supporting nearly 1 million Xplornet and HughesNet® customers across Canada and the United States. The new satellite is being designed with next-generation architecture with more than 120 spot beams, facilitating the delivery of high- quality, high-speed services for at least 15 years.

About Xplornet Communications Inc.

Xplornet Communications Inc. is Canada's largest rural broadband service provider. We believe everyone should have access to the transformative benefits of broadband, so we make our service available everywhere in Canada, including the hard to reach places. We overcome the challenges of Canada's vast geography through our deployment of Canada's first national 4G network, which leverages our hybrid technology network of fixed-wireless towers on the ground and next-generation satellites in space. Our customers live in towns, villages, just outside of major urban centres and in the farthest reaches of the country. Through our coast-to-coast network of local dealers and professional installers we connect our customers to all that the Internet has to offer. Xplornet is high-speed Internet - for all of Canada - connecting to what matters. For more information, please visit www.xplornet.com.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 4 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

SOURCE: Xplornet Communications Inc.

For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Xplornet:
Morten Paulsen, Paulsen Group External Relations
Tel: [phone], or Email: [email protected]

Hughes: 
Judy Blake, Hughes Network Systems, LLC
Tel: [phone], or Email: [email protected]

Jill Searl, Brodeur Partners
Tel: [phone], or Email: [email protected]