[Satellite TODAY 08-04-10] Hughes Network Systems created a new business unit, HughesNet China, as part of a joint venture agreement with China UnifiedNet, Hughes announced Aug. 3.
     HughesNet China will operate together with its licensed partner, Beijing UnifiedNet, to offer a range of managed broadband network services to telecom carriers and enterprise customers in China. HughesNet China also will focus on providing broadband access to rural areas as part of a Chinese government program to invest in education for rural development. 
    “This is an important major step in our Hughes global services strategy, expanding on our successful 20-year-plus record of supplying satellite broadband technology to major operators in this huge market,” Bahram Pourmand, executive vice president at Hughes International, said in a statement.