6 Mar 2012 07:00
Date: 6th March 2012
On behalf of: Avanti Communications Group plc ("Avanti" or "the Company")
Embargoed until: 0700hrs
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti signs contract with CommCarrier Satellite Services
Avanti Communications Group Plc (AIM: AVN), the satellite operator, is pleased to announce that it has signed a five year contract with CommCarrier Satellite Services Limited of Kenya ("CommCarrier") for the supply of satellite bandwidth over East Africa on its HYLAS 2 satellite. The contract is valued at $23.9m over five years.
Established in 1995, CommCarrier has a strong track record for providing satellite data services in the region for major customers and with other large partners. The capacity purchased will be used for a combination of cellular backhaul services, consumer and enterprise broadband and government services.
Anjum Chaudry, CommCarrier Chairman said: "The recent cable cut in Kenya shows how urgently Avanti's HYLAS 2 capacity is needed here and we are certain that demand for the entire East African HYLAS 2 capacity can be filled very quickly. The launch of Avanti's HYLAS 2 satellite will provide a major boost to the region's infrastructure development goals both in the near and medium term. Avanti has the right technology and business model for this market and we are very pleased to work with them."
David Williams, CEO of Avanti, said: "East Africa is a fantastic market for our services and I am pleased to see the demand beginning to turn into large contracts. CommCarrier is a credible and well connected partner for the region and we are working together already on additional prospective business."
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For further information please contact:
Avanti Communications Group Plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7749 1600
David Williams / Sean Watherston
Cenkos Securities plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900
Nicholas Wells (Nomad) / Julian Morse (Sales)
Jefferies International Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000
Julian Smith / Thomas Rider
Redleaf Polhill Tel: +44 (0) 20 7566 6700
Emma Kane / Paul Dulieu
Notes to Editors:
About Avanti
·; Avanti sells satellite data communications services to telecoms companies which use them to supply residential, enterprise and institutional users
·; Avanti's first satellite called HYLAS 1, launched on November 26th 2010 and is the first superfast broadband satellite launched in Europe
·; Avanti's second satellite, called HYLAS 2, is on target for launch in Q2 2012. It will extend Avanti's coverage to Africa and the Middle East
·; Avanti's third satellite HYLAS 3, to be launched in partnership with ESA in 2015, will provide further capacity in the EMEA region
·; 80% of Avanti's fleet capacity will address the Emerging telecommunications markets of Africa and the Middle East