INC.L Regulatory News (INC)

25 Oct 2006 07:01

Avanti Screenmedia Group PLC25 October 2006 For Release 7.00 a.m. 25th October 2006 Avanti Screenmedia Group plc ("Avanti") Contract Win Avanti Screenmedia Group plc (AIM: ASG.L), the UK satellite media andtelecommunications business, is pleased to announce the awarding of a contractto its Networks Division. Avanti has been awarded a European Commission contract, as a consortium partnerfor a project called CHORIST. This project will develop a telecommunicationssystem to co-ordinate the collection, analysis and dissemination of datadesigned to improve European emergency services' responses to natural and manmade disasters. Avanti's share of the contract is €651k over three years. Commenting, David Williams, Avanti Chief Executive said "this contract is veryuseful to Avanti in helping us to develop the next generation of services thatour Networks business will be able to offer. We are very privileged to be one ofa small number of satellite operators, with our first satellite underconstruction for launch in 2008. We are now beginning to create the new productsand services that will enable us to exploit this very privileged position." Enquiries: Avanti Screenmedia Group plc 020 7749 1600David Williams, Chief Executive Smithfield 020 7903 0676Sara MusgraveMiranda Good About Avanti: Avanti Screenmedia Group plc operates in two quite different divisions: Networksand Media. NetworksThrough its Networks division, Avanti is the only UK domiciled broadcastsatellite operator with its first satellite, HYLAS, funded and underconstruction for launch in 2008. In August 2005 Avanti was awarded by Ofcom the right to use the geo-stationaryorbital position at 33.5degreesW with 3.6Ghz of radio spectrum to operatesatellites. Avanti will use this to provide wholesale satellite services inEurope. MediaAvanti is the clear market leader in digital outdoor advertising, deployingplasma screen networks in retail and leisure environments for advertising,product promotion and customer entertainment. Avanti operates the UK's largest pub and shopping mall screenmedia network withapproximately 5,000 plasma screens installed throughout the country and inSeptember 2006 signed a groundbreaking deal to install plasma screens within 206SPAR convenience stores in the UK. In September 2006, Avanti won the advertising sales mandate for Setanta Sports.From August 2007 Setanta will broadcast English and Scottish Premiershipfootball into 45,000 pubs in the UK and Avanti has exclusive rights to selladvertising on this channel. Avanti listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, on 9thJuly 2004, at an issue price of 130.0p. Avanti is included in the FTSE Mediasector and has a RIC code of ASG.L. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange