Integrated, bandwidth-efficient VoIP service is now available for HNSE customers throughout Europe and the Middle East 8 February 2005 — Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), and Net2Phone, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTOP), a provider of retail Voice over IP (VoIP) services, today announced that they have agreed to offer an integrated VoIP service to DIRECWAY® broadband satellite customers throughout Europe and the Middle East. The integrated Net2Phone VoIP capability is enabled through HNS’ advanced DW6040 Voice Appliance terminal operating over its DIRECWAY satellite service. The jointly developed VoIP capability allocates prioritization to voice packets over data traffic, thereby significantly improving the quality of service over competitor’s products and services. With this agreement, all of HNS Europe’s DIRECWAY customers can take advantage of Net2Phone’s high-quality, competitively priced, international long-distance service. About Net2Phone Net2Phone (NASDAQ: NTOP) provides VoIP, PacketCable, SIP, and wireless solutions around the world.  Net2Phone has routed billions of retail VoIP minutes globally, servicing more than 100,000 users in the U.S., as well as hundreds of thousands more overseas. Net2Phone's hosted SIP platform provides partners with residential broadband telephony, calling cards, prefix dialing, and enterprise services in over 100 countries. Net2Phone's PacketCable platform provides cable operators with the ability to deliver a primary line replacement service with guaranteed QoS and features such as E911. For more information about Net2Phone's products and services, please visit www.net2phone.com. About Hughes Network Systems Europe Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) is Hughes Network Systems, Inc.'s (HNS) operating and sales organization for the European market. HNSE has facilities in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Utilizing its satellite hub earth stations and network operations centers in Griesheim, Germany and Milton Keynes, U.K., HNSE provides DIRECWAY® broadband satellite services throughout the continent, both directly and through a growing family of value-added service providers. HNSE designs, develops, installs and maintains a wide variety of enterprise network solutions such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Business Continuity/Backup Services, Corporate Video and Audio Broadcasting, In-store Video Advertising/Point-of-Sale TV, Interactive Training and Distance Learning, Streaming Content, and IP Multicast Services. HNSE is the leading provider in Europe of high-speed, broadband Internet access and intranet/extranet managed solutions to enterprises of any size and a leading provider of broadband connectivity to Wi-Fi hot spots. Its customer base spans all major market sectors, including oil and gas, retail, automotive, banking, restaurants and governments, with more than 40,000 terminals ordered or shipped. For more information or to find a contact for your region, please visit www.hnseu.com. About Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV Group, Inc., is a leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 800,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY brand. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTV) is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For additional information, please visit www.hns.com. # # # HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.