Avanti Comms chosen for Kent broadband project

Satellite operator Avanti Communications has been awarded a place on the Kent County Council Rural Broadband framework.The "Connecting Kent" project is designed to provide modern digital infrastructure for Kent's businesses and residents, and will access funds of at least £1.5m to set up pilot projects to address the rural "not spots" - areas that currently have little of no broadband connectivity - using a range of technologies, including satellite.According to the Kent council's web site, the plan over the next year is to encourage local communities to bid for funding for broadband through its Superfast Broadband Pilot Fund and its Community Broadband Grant schemes.Avanti is the only satellite broadband provider selected for a place in the scheme. --jh