AVN.L Regulatory News (AVN)

3 Feb 2009 07:00



Date: 3 February 2009

On behalf of: Avanti Communications Group plc ("Avanti" or "the Company")

Embargoed until: 0700hrs

Avanti Communications Group plc

Contract Win 

Avanti Communications Group plc (AIM: AVN), the broadband satellite operator, has signed a contract to supply wholesale broadband services to Parabolica S.A. of France.  Parabolica is a major supplier of satellite systems throughout Europe.  Parabolica has signed a two year contract, which has minimum order value of £100,000.  Parabolica will begin to use Avanti's products immediately, transferring customers to HYLAS on launch.

Avanti currently offers services up to a maximum 5Mb speed in the forward path and a best in class 1Mb in the return path. Avanti's channel partners sell to end users at prices from €35 per month.

David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti, said:

"We are very pleased with our continuing success in attracting some of the best independent service providers to our partner team. This further reinforces our confidence in meeting our pre-sales objectives. We now have 29 distribution partners in 10 countries in Europe with levels of commitment ranging from €100,000 to £9 million. Parabolica has excellent international distribution capability and is also our first French customer, so we are delighted they have chosen our product."

Enquiries to:

Notes to Editors:

About Avanti Communications

Avanti is Europe's first broadband satellite operator;

Avanti sell satellite broadband services to wholesale customers targeting consumer, enterprise and institutional markets.

Avanti's first satellite, called HYLAS is under construction and due for launch in 2009 

Avanti, which has more than 10 years' experience in the satellite industry, 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 provided funding for rural broadband projects Europe with a total value of €2.8 billion over the next five years.

About Parabolica

Parabolica S.A. is based in Brittany and has a long track record of supplying satellite systems and both LAN and WAN data networks in France and throughout Europe They have also completed projects in Africa and South America working for residential and enterprise customers. They also provide TV services for the expatriate market living in Europe.