Hughes Extends Satellite Broadband To 50,000 Small Businesses

Hughes Network Systems has extended satellite broadband coverage to 50,000 American small businesses in regions where digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable broadband are not available.

Hughes' Direcway service delivers reliable satellite broadband access to subscribers anywhere in the continental United States with an unobstructed view of the southern sky. The service offers download speeds of up to 1 Mbps, along with e-mail features and static IP addressing.

According to research from Frost & Sullivan, Hughes has only tapped part of what could be a substantial market for non-terrestrial broadband services. The firm estimates that as much as 40% of American businesses can't be reached by traditional landline broadband. Moreover, distance limitations on DSL often make the technology unsuitable even in situations where customers can be physically connected.

"There has been a lot of talk about the digital divide among consumers without access to broadband Internet but little mention has been made of a similar divide that exists among small and medium businesses across the country, "Hughes vice president of consumer sales and marketing Peter Gulla said in a statement. "In the case of these businesses, bridging this 'divide' can be the key to remaining successful in an increasingly competitive economy."