AVN.L Regulatory News (AVN)

Avanti Communications Group plc ("Avanti Communications" or "Avanti")

Contract win: South Africa state owned enterprise, SENTECH

· Avanti Communications secures contract with South African state owned SENTECH

· Multi-year contract to deliver significant deployments across public sector services and government sites

· SENTECH reports into the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services

Avanti Communications has signed a new multi-year contract with SENTECH, a state owned enterprise operating in the telecommunications sector in Africa. SENTECH delivers satellite broadband connectivity to South Africa's public sector at scale, across hundreds of public state institutions and government sites.

Kganki Matabane, Chief Operations Officer at SENTECH, said: "We are delighted to unveil our new partnership with Avanti, which enhances SENTECH's data connectivity technology platform in order to fulfil our public service mandate. This will enable us to provide robust connectivity services which extend our broadband infrastructure to some of the most remote sections of the country. Avanti's satellite broadband service will allow SENTECH to enhance public value to a vast range of institutions across the country."

David Williams, Avanti CEO commented: "The award of such an important contract for the delivery of vital connectivity to public sector users in South Africa is a strong indication of Avanti's competitive advantages. Through this valuable partnership with SENTECH, we look forward to making a strong contribution to the efficiency of public services across South Africa."

Service will be supplied using Avanti's HYLAS 2 Ka-band satellite, which has 100% coverage of South Africa.

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact:

Avanti: Matthew Springett, +44 (0)207 749 6703

Montfort: Nick Miles / James Olley, +44 (0)203 770 7909

Redleaf: Hannah Nicolas, +44 (0)207 382 4734

Cenkos Securities: Max Hartley (Nomad) / Julian Morse, +44 (0)207 397 8900

About SENTECH

SENTECH is a State Owned Company (SOC) operating in the broadcasting signal distribution and telecommunications sectors and reporting to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services. SENTECH's signal distribution network forms the backbone of broadcasting in South Africa. 

In line with the Electronic Communications Act and Sentech Act, SENTECH's primary public service mandate is "...to provide electronic communications services and electronic communications network services." Within this context the Government sees Sentech as an intervention vehicle in the communications sector through network based infrastructure.

Visit: www.sentech.co.za

About Avanti Communications 

Avanti connects people wherever they are - in their homes, businesses, in government and on mobiles. Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and more than 150 partners in 118 countries, the network provides ubiquitous internet service to 27 per cent of the world's population. Avanti delivers the level of quality and flexibility that the most demanding telecoms customers in the world seek.

Avanti is the first mover in high throughput satellite data communications in EMEA. It has rights to orbital slots and Ka-band spectrum that cover an end market of over 1.5bn people. The Group has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates satellites, ground stations, datacentres and a fibre ring. Avanti has a unique Cloud based flexible customer interface that is protected by patented technology. 

The Group has three satellites in orbit and a further two fully funded satellites under construction. Avanti Communications is listed in London on AIM (AVN:LSE). 

Visit: www.avantiplc.com