AVN.L Regulatory News (AVN)

13 Oct 2008 07:00



Date: 13 October 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 it has signed a contract to provide broadband services to Remote Data Services Limited ("RDS"), a provider of satellite communication services in the UK and elsewhere. The initial contract value consisting of a fixed three year commitment to dedicated bandwidth on Avanti's broadband satellite, HYLAS, plus associated hardware and services, is £250,000 over three years. 

The contract is for a "Virtual Network Operator" (VNO) service, which means that Avanti provides a fully managed service and RDS manages its own sales, installation, first line customer service and billing. This model is proving to be highly successful for Avanti in building an order book of specialist communications partners. It enables growing companies to grow rapidly a subscriber base at competitive prices without making a high investment in bandwidth or equipment themselves.

David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti, said:

"We are delighted to be working with RDS who have core competencies in the Enterprise market, especially the oil & gas industry, as well as in broadband. I am pleased that Avanti is showing a very steady flow of contract wins, suggesting that the market likes our technology and business model. Given current macro-economic turmoil, we are comfortable in the knowledge that Avanti is fully funded, with ample cash in the most secure deposit accounts and delivering on its business plan." 

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Notes to Editors:

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 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; 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 RDS

Remote Data Services (RDS) is based in Blair Atholl & Aberdeen Scotland providing a range of Specialist Satellite Solutions and IT Communication Services to industry and commerce across the globe.

Specialising in the provision of Satellite Communication solutions for those operating in remote or hostile regions, its core services also include Data Network Cabling solutions, SMATV Television Networks, and Electronic Identification Asset Management Systems.