AVN.L Regulatory News (AVN)

18 Nov 2008 07:00



Date: 18 November 2008

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, announces that it has been awarded a Framework contract by Adit North, an HM Government Central Purchasing Body, for the provision of Broadband and Disaster Recovery Services to government organisations such as RDAs, County, District and Unitary Councils, Education Authorities and others. The value of the Framework project is estimated by Adit North at up to £1m. 

Under the terms of the Framework contract, Avanti is approved to supply Information and Communications Technologies in the context of Public Sector Regeneration initiatives in Northern England districts (including where necessary, development of open-access networks and resilient upgrades to Local Authority, Council and RDA corporate services).

David Williams, Avanti Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to have been entrusted with this important contract. Avanti has developed a high level of expertise in meeting the very high standards expected by government in bidding for and executing public sector procurements. Government's role in guaranteeing broadband and other ICT deployments around Europe is growing rapidly and Avanti's leadership in that market is becoming secure."

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About Avanti Communications

Avanti Communications Group plc is the only licensed Fixed Satellite Services operator headquartered in the UK (and one of only eight such groups operating in Europe);

Avanti sells wholesale satellite broadband services to telecoms companies which supply customers in consumer, enterprise and institutional markets.

Avanti's first satellite, called Hylas is under construction and due for launch in 2009; the company plans further satellite projects.

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.

No further funding is required for the Hylas project following successful completion of a long term debt facility in July 2007.

The European Commission has set aside funding for rural broadband projects in 79 regions across Europe with a total value of €1.8 billion over the next five years.

About Adit North

Adit North has the legal status of an appointed HM Government Central Purchasing Body approved by the National Audit Office (NAO) and Government Office and licensed by the DTI to operate a Procurement Framework within the RDA regions of North East + North West + East + East Midlands + Yorkshire & Humber.