ExxonMobil Corp. to use Hughes Network

GERMANTOWN, Md. -- Hughes Network Systems signed a five-year agreement with ExxonMobil Corp. to provide satellite network services for 12,000 of the company's retail petroleum stations and other sites.

The agreement nearly doubles the number of sites serviced by HNS' existing relationship with Mobil Oil Corp.

ExxonMobil will use HNS' very small aperture terminal (VSAT) network for fast, secure credit-debit card authorizations to decrease processing time and ensure customer satisfaction. Other applications include monitoring tank levels at each site and support of back office functions.

Hughes Network Systems currently has nearly 40,000 VSATs installed at petroleum locations in the United States, representing the largest concentration of VSATs within any industry segment.

"We are extremely pleased that ExxonMobil, one of the nation's largestpetroleum marketers, has chosen Hughes Network Systems as its network service provider over other satellite and terrestrial options," said Pradman Kaul, chairman and chief executive officer of HNS. "We will build on our strong track record with Mobil to bring ExxonMobil the most flexible, secure network available."