Hughes Starts Final Satellite Testing for HughesNet Gen5 Internet Service

In-orbit testing of EchoStar XIX is done and the Ka-band high-throughput satellite was handed over from maker Space Systems Loral, Hughes said in a news release Wednesday. The satellite was launched Dec. 18 from Cape Canaveral, and the handover starts the final testing phase before commercial launch of the HughesNet Gen5 high-speed satellite internet service, Hughes said. The satellite should begin service by the end of Q1, it said.