SS/L will build Jupiter 2/EchoStar XIX Ka-band broadband satellite for Hughes

An announcement from Hughes Network Systems, LLC made it known that Space Systems/Loral will be building the JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX satellite. The new Ka-band broadband satellite will possess the highest capacity in the world and will be used by HughesNet high-speed Internet by satellite service.

Jupiter 2/EchoStar XIX will have over 150 Gbps throughput, half again as much as the earlier, SSL-built, Hughes-operated satellite EchoStar XVII launched on July 5, 2012. Like its predecessor, the new Hughes satellite will employ a next-generation architecture. More than 120 spot beams will deliver high quality satellite broadband coverage across the United States and parts of Canada during its expected service lifetime of 15 years.

Once the JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX enters commercial service in 2016, it will be leveraged by HughesNet, the largest high-speed Internet by satellite service in the world with 659,000 subscribers as of the end of 2012. HughesNet will use the new capacity to drive further growth in North America.

Hughes builds satellite broadband network for Mexican government

Hughes Network Systems won a $24-million contract with the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transport for the construction of an 11,000-site satellite broadband network that will deliver high-speed satellite Internet and voice connectivity throughout Mexico.

Hughes will supply its HN System Network Operations Center and 11,000 broadband terminals to build the new network. It will also deliver and deploy data compression/optimization technology, fiber optic/Internet interconnection equipment, IP phones, and wireless access systems.

According to Mexican officials, the new satellite network will span the 32 states of Mexico. It will deliver satellite Internet, voice, and data services to community centers, government locations, hospitals, public calling offices, and schools in both accessible and remote regions.

Telecomunicaciones de Mexico will operate the Hughes-built broadband satellite network. A decentralized government office that manages Mexican telecommunications, Telecomunicaciones de Mexico possesses significant experience in satellite operations.

According to coordinator Monica Aspe Bernal of the Agency for Knowledge and Information of the SCT, Hughes Network Systems has proven its reliability as a provider of broadband satellite networks and services over the past 25 years. Hughes came out on top of other major satellite broadband equipment providers that participated in the open public competitive bid.