Global satellite networks and services provider Hughes Network Systems, LLC has announced the creation of Hughes Network Systems Australia Pty. Ltd. as part of the company's commitment to serve this strategic and rapidly growing market, particularly in the area of Ka-band satellite technology and services.

Pradman Kaul, CEO of Hughes said: "We congratulate the Australian government on its mission to bridge the digital divide across this vast and beautiful country. 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 fulfill that mission."

Kaul said Hughes would implement the most advanced broadband satellite systems and services, and built on its 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."

Bahram Pourmand, Executive Vice President, International of Hughes, added: "This is an important next step for us in this growing region as part of our global services strategy, positioning us to expand on our successful 20 year plus record of supplying satellite broadband technology to major operators in Australia. We look forward to work 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."