State of Texas DIR selects Hughes for internet services

US State of Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has selected broadband satellite networks and services provider Hughes Network Systems to provide primary business internet and access continuity services. The multiple award contract comes under the Texas Agency Network Next Generation (Tex-AN NG) Communications Technology Services programme and is for a period of five years. Under the contract, Hughes is offering services with dedicated bandwidth using its advanced HX satellite platform, which can be configured to provide a QoS tailored for each remote terminal. In addition, services are available powered by the Hughes Spaceway 3 satellite, the commercial satellite with onboard switching and routing. The service includes S-Plan,connected via a leased-line backhaul to internet VPN to share the Hughes Spaceway 3 Network Operations Center and D-Plan service, where each branch location has a Hughes satellite installation dedicated to a specific enterprise. It also includes access continuity service that provides backup features for continuity of operations during loss of primary network service, Business Internet Overlay Service that enhances the speed of the S and D Plans with additional bandwidth intended for internet use only, Constant Bit Rate, on-demand, point to point connectivity between any two sites in a network under the S and D Plans and small office/home business internet service, with download speeds of up to 5 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1Mbps, along with HN9000 terminal equipment. With 10 Gbps of Ka-band capacity and employing multi-spot beam technology, Spaceway 3 delivers high performance networking for the multi-site agency network and single site customers alike. Tex-AN NG Hughes users will have access to a Customer Gateway providing real-time, online status reporting about any satellite, terrestrial, and wireless network implementations.