Hughes Communications snaps up Helius

Hughes Communications Inc. will acquire Helius Inc., a provider of business Internet protocol TV solutions and a portfolio company of Canopy Ventures. Terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition will combine Helius' IP skills with Hughes' broadband networking experience and customer base.

The Germantown, Md., company plans to deploy Helius' IP video technologies to enhance its existing HughesNet offerings and provide government customers, such as the Veterans Affairs Department and Social Security Administration, with enhanced IPTV, distance learning, training and digital signage services, the company said.

On completion of the acquisition early next month, Helius will become a unit of Hughes and operate closely with Hughes' North America and International enterprise businesses.

Hughes was one of 24 communications companies to win Satcom II contracts last year from the General Services Administration, a five-year, $750 million award that replaced the GSA Satellite Services program.