Hughes Announces First Inmarsat BGAN M2M Terminal to Receive Hazardous Locations Accreditation

GERMANTOWN, Md. and LONDON, March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services and Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced the first BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) M2M (machine-to-machine) terminal to receive Hazardous Locations Accreditation. The Hughes 9502, a global-use terminal designed and manufactured by Hughes for operation over Inmarsat's BGAN service, has successfully completed testing by Met Laboratories, Inc. (MetLabs), an Accredited Laboratory.¹

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110112/NE29456LOGO)

The Hughes BGAN terminal has been certified for operation in hazardous locations where explosive gaseous atmospheres may potentially be present. The certification covers operation in environments classified as Class 1, Division 2, Groups A-D, and ATEX Zone 2, Group II, Category 3.

Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Vice President, Enterprise Energy, Inmarsat, said, "Hughes' latest Class 1, Division 2 BGAN M2M terminal is an exciting addition to our M2M portfolio and will play a significant role in supporting global energy customers who operate SCADA networks in hazardous environments. Inmarsat is the only mobile satellite communications company to offer such a broad portfolio of global M2M capabilities and we are well positioned to support this rapidly expanding market."

In a parallel announcement, Inmarsat partner Zedi Inc., a leading oil and gas technology and services company in the field of production operations, confirmed it is placing orders for the newly accredited Hughes BGAN M2M terminal.

James Freeman, Chief Technology Officer at Zedi, said, "Zedi utilizes the latest technologies available to reliably connect our customers' remote sites and provide industry-leading monitoring solutions. In 2010, we were excited to announce the world's first large-scale SCADA network based on Inmarsat BGAN."

"Over the last two years, our team engaged Inmarsat and industry customers to outline requirements for a new M2M BGAN terminal and we're pleased to see this terminal available for commercial delivery to Zedi this quarter. It was important to us that the terminal be small, easy-to-use, efficient, cost-effective and certified for use in Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations. The industry collaboration and successful result demonstrates Zedi's commitment to meet our customers' needs for world-class monitoring solutions where terrestrial cellular coverage is not an option."

Graham Avis, Vice President at Hughes, said, "It is evident that a significant portion of the M2M market requires terminals that operate in hazardous environments. We are pleased to announce a Class 1, Division 2-compliant 9502 BGAN M2M terminal variant."

The Hughes 9502 M2M terminal delivers affordable, end-to-end IP data connectivity for a wide range of industry sectors, such as environmental monitoring, weather, tsunami warning systems, seismic data collection, utility smart grid applications, pipeline monitoring, well site automation, IP-camera surveillance and satellite back-up for terrestrial fixed or wireless primary site communications.

Inmarsat's BGAN M2M service is accessible across the globe and combines performance with low latency assuring real-time visibility of critical data.  It is simple for field teams to set up and integrate with bespoke applications, and can be maintained without technical expertise or training. As with all mobile satellite connectivity delivered through Inmarsat's I4, L-band constellation, BGAN M2M operates with 99.9 per cent availability.

¹ OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and Standards Council of Canada Certification Body

About Zedi Inc.
Zedi Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ZED) helps the world's oil and gas producers be more productive, more profitable, and more sustainable through technology backed by expert consultation and services. Our 60 years of continuous operations in North America and recognition as one of the industry's best workplaces, sets us apart in the production operations landscape. With our unique combination of award-winning automation, data management, and field and professional services, we offer solutions to our customers' challenges and help them realize their production potential.

Zedi Inc. operates in 30 countries worldwide. For additional information about Zedi Inc., please visit www.zedi.ca.

About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com

The Inmarsat press release newsfeed is on Twitter @Inmarsatnews and corporate updates are on @Inmarsat_plc.                                                                       

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 3.3 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 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.

©2013 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC