Space Advisory Council

13 Jan 2006 08:49

Avanti Screenmedia Group PLC13 January 2006 For Release 07.00am 13th January 2006 Avanti Screenmedia Group plc ("Avanti" or "the Company") Advisory Role in Government's Space Advisory Council for Chief Executive Avanti, the market leading media and satellite business, announces that itsChief Executive, David Williams, has been appointed to the Space AdvisoryCouncil by the British National Space Centre ("BNSC"). The Space AdvisoryCouncil advises BNSC, the DTI department responsible for space policy on UKcivil space issues. Commenting, David Williams said: "With the forthcoming launch of Avanti's firstsatellite in 2008, Avanti is now taking a European leadership role in theadvancement of satellite broadband and HDTV services. I am delighted to be ableto play my part in serving the broad interests of the UK industry." Ends. David Williams, Chief ExecutiveAvanti Screenmedia Group plc 020 7749 1600 Mark Percy / John Depasquale 020 7107 8000Seymour Pierce Ben Knowles / Paul McManus 020 7786 9600Binns & Co PR Ltd M. 07900 346 978 Editor's Note About Avanti Avanti operates two divisions: Media and Networks. In Media, Avanti installs andruns television channels for retailers, pubs and malls at or close to the pointof sale. Retailers use these channels to entertain and inform customers, buildbrand, promote products and generate new sources of advertising revenues. In Networks, Avanti offers Broadband services. Avanti operates a highly advancedbi-directional satellite system which it combines with 802.11b and 802.11gwireless services to provide zones of broadband coverage for fixed and roamingapplications. Networks is also now responsible for creating a pan-Europeantelevision and broadband satellite operator business, which will unify the Mediaand Networks business by enabling Avanti to offer end to end triple playservices. In August 2005 Avanti won the right to use the orbital position at 33.5degreesWto operate a satellite. The financing for the build element of this project hasbeen raised and the construction of Avanti's first satellite has commenced, duefor launch in 2008. Avanti will use this satellite to provide broadband andtelevisions services in Europe. Avanti is one of only eight companies in Europewith such capabilities. The Company was admitted to AIM on 9 July 2004 at a share price of 130p.www.avanti-screenmedia.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange