Hughes (News - Alert) Network System recently announced its plans to test out the EchoStar XVII satellite with JUPITER high-throughput technology. The satellite in question has already been successfully placed in the permanent geosynchronous orbital slot of 107.1 degrees west longitude last week, so testing is the next logical phase. Hughes Network System, which primary deals in broadband satellite networks and services, sees the EchoStar XVII satellite as the key component of its HughesNet Gen4 satellite Internet service.

The EchoStar XVII satellite with JUPITER high-throughput technology orbits at 22,300 miles above the earth and was first unveiled by Arianespace (News - Alert) from Kourou, French Guiana on July 5, 2012. The idea behind the launch of the satellite is to provide media-rich Internet via the HughesNet Gen4 satellite Internet service to its discerning clientele.

"The launch and positioning of EchoStar XVII is a significant milestone for Hughes, as it will be the cornerstone for our HughesNet Gen4 satellite Internet service," said Paul Gaske, Hughes executive vice president and general manager, North America Division. "With well over 100 Gbps capacity, EchoStar XVII will build on the success of our SPACEWAY 3 satellite--the world's largest commercial satellite network, expanding high-speed satellite Internet access in North America to over 1.5 million new consumer and small business subscribers. Hughes pioneered the satellite broadband industry, and with HughesNet Gen4 we will deliver customers a media-rich Internet experience like never before."

The EchoStar XVII satellite has been manufactured by Space Systems/Loral and has been designed keeping in mind its expected functionality and hence its high capacity, multi-spot beam architecture. This in turn will help increase coverage on areas with the maximum traffic demand by consumers and businesses in North America.  According to the company, the HughesNet Gen4 service will considerably enhance Internet browsing performance and high-bandwidth video and music applications. Hughes expects to commence commercial operations this fall and hopes that it meets the same success, which its previous endeavors have done in the past.

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