The HX system was tested on Nokia’s GSM Base Station. The solution, which aims to provide broadband satellite Internet access, high-speed data, videoconferencing and telephony, reduced round trip latency to approximately 600 milliseconds and one-way jitter to 20 milliseconds during testing.

   “This successful integration testing provides both companies with a ready-to-deploy, packaged GSM/satellite solution,” said Onuigbo. “It is ideal to extend cellular coverage in hard-to-serve and rural areas, where terrestrial backhaul is prohibitively expensive, representing a significant market opportunity globally.”

   Nokia Siemens Networks Product Manager Joerg Ambrozy said the testing showed Hughes’ HX260 platform capable of integrating with his company’s GSM Radio Access solution to provide reliable satellite mobile backhaul over optimized bandwidth.

   “The Nokia Siemens Networks Packet Abis and Hughes HX260 together provide a strong mobile broadband solution for satellite backhaul, which improves voice quality and data throughput for our customers. We are looking forward to continuing our joint efforts with Hughes to also deliver optimized 3G and 4G backhaul solutions via next-generation high throughput satellites,” Ambrozy said in a statement.

   Hughes has already deployed its HX System in other configurations for its international customer base. In May, the company won a new African backhaul contract with Telecom Malagasy SA (Telma) to supply additional HX System remote terminals and an HX hub to expand its existing GSM backhaul project. The contract aims to provide Telma with the ability to distribute 2G/EDGE voice and data and broadband data applications throughout Madagascar.

   “We chose Hughes for this expansion as we have been very satisfied with the full carrier-class backhauling service we receive and the long-standing, excellent relationship we have. Malagasy people in remote area will benefit immediately from this upgrade and will enjoy better and faster services,” Telma CEO Patrick Pisal Hamida said in a statement.

   Hughes then completed its deployment of several HX System broadband satellite networks for Microcom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is operating the systems via Intelsat’s IS-25 satellite to provide high-speed Internet access, corporate intranets, and VPN services to customers in the DRC and neighboring countries.

   Hughes also completed a series of technology trials on its HX System for the Australian Defense Force (ADF) in April. The trials were conducted across ADF satellite payloads in X- and Ku-band utilizing an HX System comprised of fixed and transportable gateways, the HX280 satellite broadband router and advanced network management system.

   Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division Vice President and General Manager Rick Lober said the tests analyzed the effects of transitioning from legacy Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems to an IP-based Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) architecture.

   “Utilizing our HX System allowed us to integrate Force elements with a single satcom technology — providing a true joint operational capability — and demonstrated the increased communication capabilities and bandwidth efficiencies possible by employing an advanced TDMA waveform,” said Lober.

   Hughes also provided a series of training sessions under the scope of its contract with the ADF that included simulated mission scenarios and operational environments to test both trainees and the capabilities of the HX System. The trials made use of Hughes-integrated tactical VSAT systems from a variety of its partners.