Confirmation of launch date

Avanti Communications Group plc 

Avanti confirms launch of HYLAS 2 this evening

London - 2 August 2012. Avanti Communications Group plc (AIM: AVN, "Avanti" or "the Company"), the satellite operator,confirms that HYLAS 2 is expected to launch today from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on Ariane Flight VA208 from 9.54pm UK time.

The launch broadcast can be watched live at: http://www.arianespace.tv/ from 9.39pm UK time.

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For further information please contact:

Avanti Communications Group Plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7749 1600

David Williams, Chief Executive

Sean Watherston, Director of IR and Corporate Finance

Cenkos Securities plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

Nicholas Wells (Nomad)/Julian Morse

Jefferies Hoare Govett Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000

Neil Collingridge/Thomas Rider

College Hill Tel: +44 (0) 20 7457 2020

Adrian Duffield / Jeremy Durrant

About Avanti

·; Avanti sells satellite data communications services to telecoms companies which use them to supply residential, enterprise and institutional users.

·; Avanti's first satellite, called HYLAS 1, launched on November 26th 2010 and is the first superfast broadband satellite launched in Europe.

·; Avanti's second satellite, called HYLAS 2, will launch on August 2nd 2012. It extends Avanti's coverage to Africa, Caucasia and the Middle East. For more information, go to http://www.avantiplc.com/hylas2/#

·; Avanti's third satellite HYLAS 3, to be launched in partnership with ESA in 2015, will provide further capacity in the EMEA region.

·; 80% of Avanti's fleet capacity will address the Emerging telecommunications markets of Africa, Caucasia and the Middle East.