April 4, 2011

Hughes Network Systems, LLC  announced an agreement with American Farm Bureau Inc. (AFB Inc.) to offer Farm Bureau members in participating states who activate a new HughesNet high-speed satellite Internet account an attractive discount on the monthly service plan fee.

Many Farm Bureau members live in areas that don't have access to affordable, high-speed Internet service such as DSL or cable and will benefit from this new agreement. Currently 16 state Farm Bureaus plan to offer this new benefit to their members according to Ron Gaskill, managing director of AFB, Inc.

"We are pleased to offer HughesNet for Farm Bureau members who live and work in areas where high-speed DSL or cable Internet access is not available," Gaskill said. "Farm Bureau members who activate a new HughesNet account will benefit by getting the nation's #1 satellite broadband service at a discounted monthly rate."

The discount will be applied to the Farm Bureau member's standard monthly service fee for any new HughesNet account. Farm Bureau members who qualify for assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) are ineligible for discounted rates offered through the Farm Bureau program.

"Hughes is excited about this opportunity to serve Farm Bureau members. With HughesNet they will enjoy fast, always-on connections for both their personal and business needs," said Allen McCabe, vice president for Channel Sales at Hughes. "We're proud to be teaming with the American Farm Bureau and look forward to helping Farm Bureau members save money with the nation's largest and reliable satellite broadband service."

To determine eligibility for the Farm Bureau program and to sign up for a new HughesNet account, Farm Bureau members should call the Hughes toll-free telephone number for Farm Bureau members, 1 (866) 556-9661, and provide their Farm Bureau membership number.