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Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation On Behalf of Shareholders of Hughes Communications, Inc., in Connection

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^{Published in Science and Technology on Monday, February 14th 2011 at 16:40 GMT by Market Wire}  

BENSALEM, Pa.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that it is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Hughes Communications, Inc. (aHughesa or the aCompanya) (NASDAQ:HUGH) related to the Companya™s agreement to be acquired by EchoStar Corporation (aEchoStara). The proposed transaction is valued at approximately $2 billion, including assumed debt.

Under the terms of the partiesa™ agreement, Hughes shareholders will receive $60.70 in cash for each share they own of the Companya™s common stock. If the transaction is completed, EchoStar will acquire all of the outstanding equity of Hughes and its subsidiaries including its main operating subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Investment funds affiliated with Apollo Management IV, L.P., which own a majority of Hughes' outstanding stock, have approved the transaction, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2011. The investigation concerns possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law related to approval of the proposed transaction by Hughesa™ board of directors.

If you are a shareholder of Hughes, if you have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or if you wish to discuss these matters or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, Toll Free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [ howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com ], or visit our website at [ http://www.howardsmithlaw.com ].