Hughes Network Systems LLC (HNS) said July 12 that the consumer and small business user base for its Direcway satellite broadband service reached 253,000 subscribers at the close of the second quarter, a 26 percent growth from the same period a year ago. Gross subscriber additions in the first half of 2005 averaged 10,000 per month, the company said.

HNS did not provide specific financial figures for its second quarter performance but did say that revenues increased by more than 22 percent compared to the second quarter of 2004.

In a separate announcement, HNS said July 11 that PacketPointe Communications, an enterprise solutions provider, upgraded the very small aperture terminal satellite network for Giant Industries, a refiner and marketer of petroleum products. Giant migrated 127 of its retail locations to HNS’ Direcway broadband service. The company selected PacketPointe Communications for the installation, monitoring, and management of the broadband network.