Hughes Network Systems LLC announced Aug. 10 it signed multiple contracts with Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications.

The contracts, worth nearly $60 million, call for the development and supply of a high-speed mobile data system, including a gateway and 2,000 mobile/transportable terminals; the addition of a secondary gateway ground station and advanced operations center to be installed at a new site in the United Arab Emirates and the provision of 1,500 additional mobile system voice circuits.

These additional voice circuits will enable Thuraya to approximately double the 250,000-plus subscribers on its existing system, using portable, cellphone-sized handsets that combine satellite, GSM cellular and GPS functionality.