Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) has signed a multi-year contract with Virtual Music Stores (VMS) for DirecWay broadband satellite services. VMS will use DirecWay to distribute music content to its “on demand’ manufacturing kiosks situated in retail stores across Europe.

Customers can listen to music, including video samples, and select either chart CDs, with original artwork and full CD audio quality sound, or create their own CDs from individual tracks. Custom CDs are made on demand within minutes.

Broadband, two-way satellite terminals from HNSE are installed at VMS retail stores and provide the “always on” link to the DirecWay Network Management Center, where the music library is hosted and from where selections can be transmitted to any location.