Avanti and Astrium Launch Ka-Band Test-Bed

Avanti and Astrium Launch Military and Government Ka-Band Test-Bed

§ Test facility to support experimentation and development of end to end Ka-Band communications capabilities

§ Avanti to provide bandwith on HYLAS 1

Avanti Communications (AIM: AVN), the broadband satellite company is pleased to announce that it has entered in to an agreement with Astrium Services to establish a new military and government advanced Ka-band test-bed.

The technology test-bed, which will be based in Stevenage, UK, will comprise of a dedicated secure laboratory facility which will enable government and military customers to test and refine future military Ka-band system requirements. The test bed will utilise proven system and terminal capabilities supplied by Astrium Secure Satcom Systems and satellite bandwidth on Avanti's HYLAS 1 satellite which will be launched in November 2010.

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Commenting on the news, David Williams, CEO of Avanti Communications said: "With the ever increasing utilisation of satellite communications by both military and government customers, the demand for fast, secure, satellite band width has never been greater.

"When HYLAS 1 is launched in November 2010, Avanti Communications will have one of the most advanced communications satellites in existence. The high speeds and high bandwidths which the Ka-band technology provides are, we believe, ideally suited for military applications.

"The launch of this test-bed will provide military and government customers with a secure, dedicated facility in which they can fully explore the opportunities and benefits Ka-band satellite technology offers."

For further information please contact:

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

David Williams

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

Nick Wells / Max Hartley

Jefferies International Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000

Rupert Mitchell / Oliver Griffiths

Redleaf Communications Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7566 6700

Emma Kane / Paul Dulieu

Notes to Editors:

About Avanti

¡ Avanti sells satellite broadband services to telecoms companies which use them to supply residential, enterprise and institutional users.

¡ Avanti's first satellite, called HYLAS 1, will launch in November 2010 and will be the first superfast broadband satellite launched in Europe.

¡ Avanti's second satellite, called HYLAS 2, is fully funded and will launch in Q2 2012. It will extend Avanti's coverage to Africa and the Middle East.

¡ The market for 2Mb satellite broadband products in the markets served by Avanti is estimated at more than 100 million households.