Hughes to build African satellite network

Germantown company Hughes Network Systems Inc. signed a contract to provide a satellite broadband network for East African telecommunications firm AFSAT Communications Ltd.

The use of Hughes network management center in Germany will allow AFSAT to provide high-speed broadband and Internet service to small and medium business and consumers in several African states including Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria.

The terms of the contract were not disclosed.

AFSAT is calling its new service iWay and will provide the first Internet access through satellite to many African states.

"Now consumers and enterprises in Africa will have high-speed access to the Internet without the limitations posed by the lack of terrestrial infrastructure," said Ramesh Ramaswamy, senior director for business development in Middle/East Africa.

Hughes Network Systems is a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corp., which makes the DIRECTV digital satellite systems as well as providing high-speed Internet access via satellite through DirecPC and DirecWAY.

With a worldwide market, the company has sold more than 500,000 systems.