AVN.L Regulatory News (AVN)

21 Jan 2008 07:00

Avanti Communications Group Plc21 January 2008 Date: 21 January 2008On behalf of: Avanti Communications Group plc ("Avanti" or "the Company")Embargoed until: 0700hrs Avanti Communications Group plc• Secures Government supplier agreement Avanti Communications Group plc (AIM: AVN), the satellite operator, is delightedto announce that it has been awarded a Telecom Networks, Catalist frameworkagreement with OGCbuying.solutions, the trading arm of the Office of GovernmentCommerce. The framework agreement allows customers throughout the public sectorto place orders with Avanti under the standard terms and conditions of theagreement, without the need for a tender process. Avanti is the only satelliteoperator on this list. OGCbuying.solutions' new Telecom Networks framework agreement, covering thedelivery of infrastructure and services for public sector voice, data, wirelessand IP networking requirements, was introduced on 8 January 2008. It givesAvanti the opportunity to provide services, equipment and advice toorganisations such as emergency services, schools, hospitals and all arms oflocal and central government. Avanti has been accredited to supply servicesrelating to wireless data infrastructure, one of ten companies in this category. Avanti has a strong track record of working with the public sector providingsatellite broadband and other data telecoms services in the UK and abroad.Avanti has also benefited from UK government support in the planning andconstruction of its first satellite, HYLAS, due for launch in 2009. This makesAvanti the UK's only domestic fixed services satellite operator. Avanti works both directly with public sector organisations as well as part ofan integrated network approach working with other accredited suppliers. David Williams, CEO Avanti Communications, said: "We are extremely pleased to be included in the new framework agreement, whichwas achieved following a competitive procurement process. We now appear on anaccredited list of ten wireless data infrastructure providers for governmentbodies, with Avanti being the only satellite operator on the list. This listingenables government organisations to sign contracts for Avanti's services withouta time-consuming tender process and will raise our profile across the publicsector. Research by Ovum has estimated that government expenditure on IT andtelecoms will reach £11.5bn by 2010." Enquiries to: Avanti Communications Group plc http://www.avanti-communications.com/David Williams/ Matthew O'Connor 020 7749 1600 Redleaf Communications Ltd http://www.redleafpr.com/Emma Kane/ Samantha Robbins 020 7822 0200sr@redleafpr.com Hoare GovettJustin Jones/ Hugo Fisher 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 OGCbuying.solutions OGCbuying.solutions is the trading arm of the Office of Government Commerce(OGC), which is itself an office of HM Treasury. OGC was launched on 1 April2000 as a result of a review of civil procurement in Central Government. Its aimis to achieve substantial value for money improvements in the Government'sprocurement budget and to oversee and implement the Government's widerEfficiency Review across the entire public sector. OGCbuying.solutions, launchedin April 2001, provides public sector procurement professionals with a route tothe products and services they need to maximise procurement efficiency and valuefor money. Its contracts and framework agreements offer substantial savingsthrough significant buying power, economies of scale and strategic partnerships.Once again, these savings are counted towards the Efficiency Review target.Rigorous tendering and evaluation processes ensure that products and servicesare checked for quality, price, competitiveness, fitness for purpose andcompliance with statutory requirements. These products and services areavailable through OGCbuying.solutions Catalist framework agreements and ManagedServices. The Catalist brand is designed to unify the framework agreements under oneidentifiable and recognisable brand name. Catalist incorporates a series offramework agreements which have been developed to offer our customers a broadrange of goods and services aligned to their particular needs. More information on OGCbuying.solutions can be found at:www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk Contact: Hannah Ampleford, Corporate Communications Manager, OGCbuying.solutionsTel: 01603 704581Email: hannah.ampleford@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange