FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 2, 2005

Provident International Selects Broadband Satellite Solution from Hughes Network Systems Europe

Provident International Consolidates Central European Network Connectivity

Germantown, Md., August 2, 2005 — Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE), Europe’s leading provider of broadband satellite solutions to enterprises and consumers, today announced that it has been selected by Provident International, a leading personal credit company, to be its sole supplier of satellite broadband services.

Previously reliant upon a fragmented terrestrial infrastructure which was not cost effective, Provident International required broadband connectivity from its central European branch offices situated nationwide in Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia in order to send back-office information to its UK data center. Provident decided on a comprehensive satellite broadband solution from HNSE, because it offers more value and means that Provident also can consolidate its connectivity requirements and deal with a single supplier.

“After several months investigating communications options for our central European branch network, we are convinced that the decision to use the Hughes DIRECWAY^® broadband satellite service was our best option. HNSE not only offers cost-effective communications, but is also an effective “one-stop shop” for our communications needs. The introduction of the HNSE satellite broadband service will reduce our total cost of ownership for communications by up to 30% compared to our existing terrestrial solutions,” said Barrie Grimshaw, Manager of Business Technology, Provident International Ltd.

“We are proud to have been selected as Provident’s broadband provider in central Europe,” said Mike Darcy, President of HNSE. “DIRECWAY is proving once again to be the most cost effective technology to connect organizations doing business in this rapidly growing region.”

Satellite broadband allows Provident International to multicast—meaning it can send transactional information during the daytime and then use available bandwidth to update software applications from headquarters outside of trading periods. Satellite broadband also allows Provident International to add applications throughout its companies and help evolve the business.

After a competitive bid process, HNSE was chosen because of its proven experience in the required countries and security of user passwords. HNSE will provide 150 DW6000 broadband satellite terminals to enable data connectivity for back-office information across four central European countries.

About Provident Financial
Provident Financial is a leading international company providing home credit, a credit card product, car finance and motor insurance. Established in the UK over 120 years ago, Provident offers products that are tailored to their customers’ needs.

Provident Financial’s international division began operating in 1997 as part of Provident’s strategy to develop new sources of growth outside the UK. Provident International currently serves over 1.5 million customers throughout central Europe, supported by a nationwide network of over 12,000 agents and nearly 150 branch offices.

About Hughes Network Systems Europe
Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) is Hughes Network Systems, LLC’s (HNS) operating and sales organization for the European market, with facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Utilizing its satellite hub earth stations and network operations centres in Griesheim, Germany and Milton Keynes, UK, HNSE provides DIRECWAY broadband satellite services throughout the continent, both directly and through a growing family of value-added service providers.

HNSE is Europe’s leading provider of high-speed broadband satellite services and solutions to enterprises of all sizes and in many sectors, including oil and gas, retail, automotive, banking, restaurants and governments. HNSE designs, develops, installs and maintains a wide variety of managed network solutions such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Business Continuity/Backup Services, Corporate Video and Audio Broadcasting, Digital Signage and Retail Media Networks, Interactive Training and Distance Learning, Streaming Content and IP Multicast Services, in addition to broadband connectivity for Wi-Fi Access at hot spots. For more information or to find a contact for your region, please visit www.hnseu.com.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 800,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services and IP-based networks, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY brand. DIRECWAY terminals are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by TIA, ETSI and the ITU standards organizations.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:SKYT) and The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTV) each own 50% of HNS. SkyTerra is its managing member. For additional information, please visit www.hns.com.

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HUGHES and Hughes Network Systems are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. DIRECWAY is a trademark of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.