Hughes Network Systems Helps Retailers Increase Revenues and Improve Operations with DIRECWAY(R) Broadband Services

Hughes Network Systems Helps Retailers Increase Revenues and Improve Operations with DIRECWAY(R) Broadband Services Company Showcases Benefits of DIRECWAY at NRF 2005 NEW YORK, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- NRF 2005 -- Hughes Network Systems Inc. (HNS), the world's leading provider of satellite broadband solutions, announced today at the opening of NRF 2005, that it will showcase new value- added services for retailers seeking to increase revenues, extend customer reach, and speed up business processes. Throughout the show, HNS will demonstrate DIRECWAY(R) technology currently used by some of the world's most progressive retailers, including TESCO, OshKosh B'Gosh, Best Buy, and The Original HoneyBaked Ham Company. Managing Multimedia According to industry analysts, retail organizations are expected to increase technology investments by upwards of 25 percent in 2005, with much of this investment focused on in-store technology and advanced POS systems, both instrumental in meeting primary business objectives of increased revenues and decreased costs. Studies also indicate that 29% of leading retailers plan to upgrade headquarters-to-store connectivity. DIRECWAY(R) Multimedia Services (MMS) is HNS' comprehensive solution for these emerging opportunities and was developed to unlock the maximum value from broadband connectivity for retailers of all sizes. It enables rapid and cost-effective distribution of multimedia content to retail locations anywhere, for delivery of targeted messaging to customers at point-of-presence displays, on-line training programs for employees and managing operational data of all kinds, including software and large data files. DIRECWAY broadband satellite solutions from HNS give retailers communications power and flexibility to increase profits at every location, build customer loyalty, add new services, and reduce inventory and operating costs for enhanced competitive advantage. DIRECWAY MMS is available as a value-added option on HNS' continent-wide service delivery platform and includes the following applications: * Training * Corporate television * Digital advertising * Digital signage "HNS developed the DIRECWAY Multimedia Services solution specifically for retailers, from mid-sized to the Fortune 100, so they can manage the distribution of digital content throughout their businesses -- simply, quickly, and conveniently," said HNS Assistant Vice President of Marketing, Ken Cohen. "For more than 15 years, retailers have been turning to HNS for two-way satellite solutions. DIRECWAY MMS builds on that success and gives retailers the ability to deliver media-rich content to locations anywhere, without the restrictions and limitations of terrestrial-based Internet solutions." Many leading retailers, such as TESCO in the UK, are already realizing the profit-enhancing benefits of MMS through in-store, electronic displays that market to customers while they shop. The TESCO success story was recognized by InfoWorld, who recently added it to their list of the InfoWorld Top 100 IT Projects in 2004. To learn more about DIRECWAY Multimedia Services and the business benefits retailers are reaping, please visit HNS during NRF 2005 at booth # 2243. Alternatively, visit http://www.hns.com/ for more information. About Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 800,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY(R) brand. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTV) is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For additional information, please visit http://www.hns.com/. HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. Source: Hughes Network Systems Inc. CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, +1-301-601-7330, jblake@hns.com; or John Hallock of Brodeur Worldwide, +1-617-587-2024, jhallock@brodeur.com, for Hughes Network Systems Web site: http://www.hns.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment