RNS Number : 1575C
Avanti Communications Group Plc
09 November 2009
Date: 09 November 2009
On behalf of: Avanti Communications Group plc ('Avanti', 'the Group' or
'the Company')
Embargoed until: 0700hrs
Avanti Communications Group plc
Contract Wins
Avanti Communications Group plc (AIM: AVN), the broadband satellite operator, is pleased to announce three contract wins which will help it to deliver the government's required Universal Service Commitment under the Digital Britain project.
Firstly, a project has been awarded by the British Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB) in support of their strategy for Digital Britain. The project will investigate technologies that can be incorporated in Customer Premises Equipment to support emerging applications and next generation broadband services.
Secondly, Avanti has also been awarded a contract to prepare for larger scale deployment of satellite backhaul for rural mobile broadband access, building on earlier technology trials performed in Northern Ireland.
Finally, a consortium consisting of Avanti, University of Bologna (as prime contractor) and the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation has been selected by the European Space Agency to support the standardisation activities of the next generation of the DVB Return Channel via Satellite standard (DVB-RCS NG). The new standard aims to improve the interoperability and efficiency of satellite broadband services leading to higher speeds and lower equipment costs.
David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti, said:
"I am pleased to announce our involvement in these new government sponsored activities. They will help us to prepare our solution for the Universal Service Commitment contemplated by the Digital Britain Report. It is now clear to all that Avanti's broadband satellites will have a major role in solving these problems for governments around the World."
Enquiries to:
Avanti Communications Group plc http://www.avanti-communications.com
David Williams 020 7749 1600
Redleaf Communications Ltd avanti@redleafpr.com
Sam Robbins / Paul Dulieu 020 7566 6700
Cenkos Securities
Julian Morse / Ivonne Cant 020 7397 8900
Notes to Editors:
About Avanti Communications
AVANTI SELLS SATELLITE BROADBAND SERVICES TO TELECOMS COMPANIES WHICH USE THEM TO SUPPLY HOMES AND BUSINESSES.
AVANTI'S FIRST SATELLITE, CALLED HYLAS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE THE FIRST SUPERFAST BROADBAND SATELLITE LAUNCHED IN EUROPE.
THE MARKET FOR 2MB SATELLITE BROADBAND PRODUCTS IN EUROPE IS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN 70 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.
AVANTI CURRENTLY PROVIDES SATELLITE BROADBAND SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE USING LEASED SATELLITE CAPACITY WHICH IT WILL TRANSFER TO HYLAS ON LAUNCH.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS SET ASIDE FUNDING FOR RURAL BROADBAND PROJECTS IN 79 REGIONS ACROSS EUROPE WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF EUR2.8 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
DAVID WILLIAMS EVIDENCE TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON BROADBAND CAN BE SEEN AT HTTP://WWW.PARLIAMENTLIVE.TV/MAIN/PLAYER.ASPX?MEETINGID=5033.
This information is provided by RNS
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