15587: (Arthur) Telecom Haiti offers broadband services (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

TELECOM Haiti Offers Hughes Network Systems' DIRECWAY Broadband Services

DIRECWAY(R) Broadband Satellite Internet Access is Offered To a Variety of
Customers Throughout Haiti

    GERMANTOWN, Md., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems (HNS), the
world's leading provider of broadband satellite solutions, which it markets
under the DIRECWAY(R) brand, announced today that TELECOM Haiti has signed a
contract as a value-added provider offering DIRECWAY two-way, high-speed
Internet access services to corporations, small businesses, educational
institutions and consumers throughout Haiti.
    "Access to the Internet means access to knowledge and knowledge is the key
to any serious attempt at development," stated Lionel Coupet, President of
TELECOM Haiti.  "Our newest service, DIRECWAY offered by TELECOM Haiti,
provides the easiest access to that knowledge in a country seriously
handicapped by a lack of terrestrial infrastructure.  This service is
especially beneficial to schools and businesses in remote areas of the country
where progress and development are most challenged.  DIRECWAY opens up
endless and exciting possibilities for a more hopeful and dynamic future."
    DIRECWAY broadband by satellite services are available in either single
user or LAN terminal configurations, with scalable grades of service, allowing
enterprise customers to deploy a network solution tailored to their specific
requirements and readily expandable as their business growth demands.
    "High-speed Internet access is a key tool to expanding opportunities for
both enterprises and consumers in developing countries," said Emilio Cecchi,
assistant vice president of HNS.  "Businesses of all sizes, as well as the
educational and medical communities and consumers, all benefit from broadband
connections to the Internet.  HNS is pleased to have TELECOM Haiti as a value-
added reseller bringing the benefits of DIRECWAY solutions to all of Haiti."

    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 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.  In addition, HNS is a
leading manufacturer of DIRECTV(R) satellite television receivers, having
shipped over 11 million 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 http://www.hns.com.

    About TELECOM Haiti
    TELECOM Haiti has been providing two-way radio and telecommunications
services with national network coverage in Haiti for over 15 years.  In April
2003, TELECOM Haiti began providing a new service, HNS' DIRECWAY(R) broadband
satellite Internet access.  This new service has had a remarkable entry in the
market.  The growing list of satisfied customers in Haiti includes NGOs (non-
governmental organizations), corporations, small businesses, educational
centers, Internet cafes and individual consumers.
     TELECOM Haiti is located at 367, Route de Delmas in Port-au-Prince,
Haiti.  For more information, please visit http://www.caribway.com.

    HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of Hughes
Electronics Corporation.  Other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.