SkyTerra to Acquire Remaining 50 Percent of Hughes Network Systems from DIRECTV

SkyTerra to Acquire Remaining 50 Percent of Hughes Network Systems from DIRECTV

GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SKYT) , an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., a New York-based private equity firm, announced today that it has executed an agreement to acquire the remaining 50 percent of Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) not already owned from The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTV). The transaction is expected to close in early first quarter 2006.

"HNS has developed an excellent working relationship with SkyTerra/Apollo over the past six months and is well aligned with SkyTerra's and Apollo Group's investments in the satellite sector," said Pradman Kaul, Chairman and CEO of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. "SkyTerra/Apollo brings valuable credibility from the financial community, which will help us to continue to finance our growth as the market leader in broadband satellite communications."

Kaul added, "Satellite technology is an essential element in any broadband network, providing a valuable, wide area alternative to terrestrial DSL and cable modem systems. We expect to continue our history of developing innovative new products and service offerings that will unlock the value of broadband for all our customer segments, both in the US and internationally. We have many opportunities in front of us to make our business even more successful."

HNS currently manages both large and small networks that are at the heart of today's digital economy. Its customers include leading Fortune companies from a wide range of vertical sectors, including retail, quick service restaurants, oil/gas, banking and automotive, and many government agencies who rely on HNS networks for a wide range of applications, including customs, education, and emergency preparedness/disaster recovery. In addition to its successful North America service business, HNS owns and operates service businesses in Europe, India and Brazil, and supplies products and services to a growing family of authorized service providers on every continent. HNS is also the leading provider of two-way broadband satellite Internet access for the consumer and small business market, with more than 300,000 subscribers in the U.S.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyTerra Communications Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 850,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services and IP-based networks, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY(R) brand. HNS' DIRECWAY terminals are based on the IP over Satellite (IPoS) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SKYT) is an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P. For additional information, please visit http://www.hns.com/.

HUGHES and Hughes Network Systems are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. DIRECWAY is a trademark of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.

Source: Hughes Network Systems, LLC

CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, +1-301-601-7330,
jblake@hns.com; or Leslie Tullio of Brodeur, +1-202-775-2672,
ltullio@brodeur.com, for Hughes Network Systems

Web site: http://www.hns.com/

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