Canada NewsWire

DIRECWAY 2-Way High-Speed Internet Access by satellite to first aboriginal school in rural Ontario

Ottawa, November 27, 2001

OTTAWA, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - C-COM Satellite Systems, Inc. (CDNX: CMI) has connected the first aboriginal school in Canada with 2-Way High-Speed Internet Access Service (DIRECWAY(TM)). Students and teachers at Titotay Memorial School in Cat Lake, Ontario (350Km North of Sioux Lookout) are now able to access the information highway at high-speed without the use of a telephone connection. 


The school's only Internet connection prior to installing the C-COM system was via a low-speed satellite telephone. With the 2-Way C-COM networked solution, up to 20 students and teachers are able to connect to the Internet at high-speed simultaneously using a single antenna. 


"The multi-user 2 Way High Speed Internet solution delivered to Titotay Memorial School in Cat Lake is a perfect example of the type of service C-COM can deliver to many rural and remote schools across the country. Schools across Canada without access to cable or DSL services now have the option to get high-speed Internet into their classrooms at cost effective rates and offer students the same opportunity presently available in large metropolitan area schools," said Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. 


"C-COM supplied DIRECWAY(TM) has become an important educational tool at our school," said Roger Pavey, Principal of Titotay Memorial School. "Students and teachers use the Internet to perform research and connect to other educational institutions for exchange of information and resources."

About DIRECWAY

DIRECWAY is the world's leading broadband by satellite service for consumer, small business and enterprise markets. Consumers anywhere in the continental U.S. can get DIRECWAY high-speed Internet service from major providers including EarthLink, AOL, Pegasus, NRTC and DIRECTV. Enterprises have access to a wide variety of value-added solutions, all on a single platform, and all backed by comprehensive support from HNS, to give companies the edge they need in today's market. To learn more about DIRECWAY, please visit www.direcway.com.

About C-COM Satellite Systems, Inc.

C-COM Satellite Systems, Inc. is a leader in development and deployment of satellite-based technology that allows the delivery of high-speed Internet services to fixed (DIRECWAY(TM)) and mobile (iNetVu(TM)) users. The company's satellite-based systems deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions for fixed, mobile and transportable applications throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. More information is available at: www.c-comsat.com

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation (HUGHES), is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 500,000 systems installed in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DirecPC® and DIRECWAY® brands, and is a major supplier of mobile satellite networks, including GSM-enabled portable handsets and Internet devices. For terrestrial access, it offers the comprehensive AIReach® family of broadband wireless, point-to-multipoint products. In addition, HNS is a leading manufacturer of DIRECTV® satellite television receivers, having shipped over 8 million systems to date.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C. in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The earnings of HUGHES, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE: GMH). To learn more about HNS, please visit www.hns.com.