Hughes HX System Enables Remote Monitoring of Forest Fires in Russia

GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the world's leading provider of broadband satellite networks and services, announced today that Tomsk Polytechnical University (TPU) has selected a Hughes HX System to provide forest fire monitoring services for the Federal Forestry Agency of the Russian Federation.

A new and comprehensive satellite-based solution has been developed for Russia-wide monitoring of its huge forested regions, enabling early detection and rapid response to fires. Data is collected via remote sensors and transferred to "Avialesokhrana," a service monitoring center through Yasen, a system developed by TPU. Yasen collects, transfers, processes, and analyzes the data during all stages of fire fighting from across the entire territory of the Russian Federation. The satellite broadband network is based on Hughes HX System technology, operated by TPU from its facilities in Tomsk, Siberia.

"This is our first project for the Federal Forestry Agency, providing critical broadband satellite services," said Mikhail Sonkin, of Tomsk Polytechnical University. "We are pleased with the high performance, versatility, and reliability of the HX System from Hughes, and look forward to expanding it in the future to provide additional satellite services, such as weather monitoring from remote stations."

The network comprises a central HX Network Operations Center in Tomsk together with both fixed and mobile broadband satellite terminals in the field, including HX260 mesh terminals for simultaneous voice and data services. Several HX terminals are mounted on vehicles enabling emergency communications from remote sites.

"We are proud to have been selected by such a prestigious university and for such a worthwhile application," said Dr. Arunas Slekys, vice president and general manager, Russia/CIS Business, at Hughes. "The versatility of our HX System to provide mesh, star, fixed, and mobile capabilities in the same network, makes it ideal for remote monitoring of natural resources, and indeed for virtually any emergency preparedness application."

The HX System was supplied to Tomsk Polytechnical University through Hughes reseller, JSC Machinoimport. According to Vadim Kosenkov, Machinoimport group manager, "We look forward to continuing to work with Hughes, the leaders in broadband satellite technology. We are already planning to expand the TPU network and to explore other opportunities with Hughes that will benefit governmental agencies and educational institutions, as well as commercial enterprises."

Tomsk Polytechnical University is expanding beyond the provision of satellite communication services. Taking into account the great demand and interest in modern satellite broadband technology, the University is setting up a training center for Russian/CIS satellite communications operators and engineers, which is being built with Hughes participation and based on Hughes technology.

About Tomsk Polytechnical University

Tomsk Polytechnical University (TPU) is one of the oldest technical universities in Siberian Russia. Many generations of highly qualified technical experts have graduated from TPU, and are known throughout Russia as both top engineering executives and respected public figures. Today TPU strives for world-class innovations through advanced educational programs and projects, engaging the experience of national and international academia and industry. Its teaching and research staff exceeds 1,700 with over 22,000 students. TPU has four branches and 14 representative offices, including Germany the Czech Republic, and Cyprus. TPU continually affirms its position as one of the leading research and development universities in Russia.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com.

©2011 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC