Hughes sets up Aussie branch to bid for NBN Co Ka band satellite

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 19 May 2010 08:10

IT Industry - Strategy

Broadband satellite builder and network operator, Hughes Network Systems, has formed an Australian subsidiary to bid for NBN Co's expected tender for Ka-band satellites.

Hughes CEO Pradman Kaul said: "We congratulate the Australian government on its mission to bridge the digital divide'¦Satellite is the ideal technology to bring high-speed Internet services to homes and offices affordably even in the least populated areas, and establishing this office means we can more actively engage in helping fulfil that mission."

He added: "We intend to promote the implementation of our most advanced broadband satellite systems and services, building on our global leadership serving customers in over 100 countries, and operating on more than 20 satellites, including our own Ka-band Spaceway 3 satellite in North America, the world's first with on-board switching and routing."

Hughes' executive vice president, international, Bahram Pourmand, said the company had "a successful 20 year plus record of supplying satellite broadband technology to major operators in Australia."

He added: "We look forward to working with Australian partners and to share our broadband satellite operating know-how and experience gained from our service companies in North America, Europe, India, and Brazil, and through a rapidly growing network of independent service providers in other parts of the world."

The subsidiary will be known as Hughes Network Systems Australia Pty Ltd. No other details have been given.

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