Hughes targets revenues of Rs 40 cr from SME sector by 2005

Hughes Escorts Communications Ltd (HECL), a company dealing in broadband satellite solutions in India, is targeting its

DirecWay satellite-based broadband services towards Small & Medium Enterprises

(SME's) market across India. The company is looking to generate revenues of Rs 40 crore by 2005 from the sector. As a part of its strategy for the

market, Hughes would seek to appoint 50 state-level channel partners across India to deliver reliable, secure broadband connectivity

and value-added solutions for the identified segment. 

Hughes has invested over $ 15 million in introducing DirecWay in India. DirecWay would deliver broadband connectivity and

services to key verticals such as the state governments, manufacturing, export houses and hospitality

sectors. DirecWay is targeted at the SMB sector as well as non governmental organizations (NGOs). Hughes is also targeting SEC A category

consumers residing in farmhouses as well as NRI townships across India with the DirecWay platform.

HECL is the first national satellite broadband service provider in the  Indian market to offer services in over 800 cities and

rural areas across the country. The company has, since inception in 1995, deployed more than

10,000 VSAT terminals. The company expects to double this number within one year itself.

Speaking about Hughes's focus on the Indian SME market, Partho Banerjee, President & CEO, HECL says, "Satellite's

deliver communications right down to any Panchayat in India. Today, satellites offer highly cost effective

communications options in places where traditional mediums such as leased lines are limited or unreliable. We anticipate a tremendous demand

for DirecWay to deliver reliable, secure connectivity for SME's across every part of India and enable them to compete on a

global scale."

CYBER NEWS SERVICE



NEW DELHI