[Satellite TODAY 01-25-10] Hughes Network Systems has surpassed 500,000 North American subscribers to its HughesNet service, the company announced Jan. 25.
    The company said its focus on providing connectivity to homes and small businesses unserved by cable and DSL providers led to hitting the subscriber mark. HughesNet is powered by the Spaceway 3 satellite.
    “While the government continues to debate the best approach to providing universal broadband access, Hughes is delivering on the promise today and the more than 500,000 subscribers we proudly serve can attest to the difference it has made in their lives and in their communities,” Hughes senior vice president Mike Cook said in a statement. Hughes is one of several satellite companies competing for U.S. broadband stimulus funding.