AVN.L Regulatory News (AVN)

26 Mar 2008 07:00

Avanti Communications Group Plc26 March 2008 Date: 26 March 2007On behalf of: Avanti Communications Group plc ("Avanti" or "the Company")Embargoed until: 0700hrs Avanti Communications Group plc • Project funding award Avanti Communications Group Plc (AIM: AVN), the satellite operator, has beenchosen by the Technology Strategy Board to lead a project that will demonstratethe role of satellite communications in road user charging. The project hasbeen selected in response to the Technology Strategy Board's call for proposalsfor Intelligent Transport Systems and Services, in support of the Department forTransport's activities in this area. The project will focus on developingtechnologies based on satellite communications and navigation that improve thecost effectiveness, scalability and robustness of road pricing systems for theUK. The Technology Strategy Board will invest £850k in the project, over aperiod of 24 months. Avanti Chief Executive David Williams said: "I am delighted that Avanti hasbeen selected to perform this project, our first funded by the TechnologyStrategy Board. I am convinced that satellite services have a key role to playin supporting road telematics, including road pricing. The TechnologyStrategy Board's selection of Avanti strengthens our position in this area." Enquiries to: Avanti Communications Group plc http://www.avanti-communications.com/David Williams 020 7749 1600 Redleaf Communications Ltd avanti@redleafpr.comEmma Kane/ Samantha Robbins/ Paul Dulieu 020 7822 0200 sr@redleafpr.com Cenkos SecuritiesIvonne Cantu / Julian Morse 020 7678 8000 Notes to Editors: About Avanti Communications • Avanti Communications Group's shares were admitted to AIM on 16 April 2007; • Avanti Communications Group is the only licensed Fixed Satellite Services operator headquartered in the UK (and one of only eight such groups operating in Europe); • Avanti is licensed to provide satellite services using spectrum which provides coverage of Europe, India, The Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Americas. • Avanti's first satellite, called HYLAS is under construction and due for launch in 2009; the company plans further satellite projects; • Avanti, which has over 10 years' experience in the satellite industry, currently provides satellite data communications services to customers in Europe using leased satellite capacity which it will transfer to HYLAS on launch; • It's customers include broadband service providers, large businesses, the British and foreign governments, the European Union and the European Space Agency; • The core applications for which Avanti expects HYLAS capacity to be used are broadband, corporate data networks, video distribution and military/ security; • No further funding is required for the HYLAS project following successful completion of a long term debt facility in July 2007. About the Technology Strategy Board The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmentalpublic body, established by the government. Its mission is to promote andsupport research into, and development and exploitation of, technology andinnovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growthand improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department forInnovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). For more information please visitwww.innovateuk.org. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange