Contract Win

Avanti Communications Group plc

CONTRACT WIN

Contract from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to provide 40Mbps broadband speeds to small businesses in Cornwall

Avanti Communications will provide broadband connectivity, with speeds of up to 40Mbps, to small businesses across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

Avanti Communications Group plc, a leading provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), announces a contract win with ERDF for up to £1.2m to support the deployment of 40Mbps broadband services to rural businesses across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Services will be available through Avanti's certified Service Providers, Bentley Walker SSW and Avonline. The broadband packages are available now and will enable small businesses in the region to have a high quality and reliable broadband service, even in the most rural areas. Approximately 1,000 businesses are expected to take up the offer in the first year.

The service will provide the highest satellite broadband speeds available in Europe via Avanti's Ka-band HYLAS 1 and HYLAS 2 satellites to Cornish businesses, no matter how rural the location. For these rural businesses in Cornwall, Avanti's satellite technology can provide reliable and high speed broadband services and help the growth of these rural businesses.

David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti said: "We welcome this broadband initiative, connecting rural businesses still not addressed by fibre. The capabilities of High Throughput Satellites (HTS) are well proven to meet the needs of rural businesses and the demand remains strong, so this initiative will help us to marry demand and supply in the region."

Mark Duddridge, Chair of LEP Board, said: "We are now seeing the transformative effect of excellent digital connectivity to many businesses and communities in Cornwall. However we are concerned that we have areas which haven't yet been reached. We are therefore very excited by the potential of the new superfast satellite application now being launched. Digital connectivity is allowing Cornwall to compete on a Global stage and is facilitating the creation of tomorrow's industries."

--ENDS--

For further information please contact:

Avanti Public Relations: Saffron Secker, +44 (0)207 749 1600

Montfort: Nick Miles / James Olley, +44 (0)203 770 7909

Redleaf: Lara Pyliotis, +44 (0)207 382 4763

Cenkos Securities: Max Hartley (Nomad) / Julian Morse, +44 (0)207 397 8900

Notes to Editors

Superfast Cornwall Evaluation - Evaluation Report with Executive Summary

www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-digital-strategy

About Avanti Communications

Avanti connects people wherever they are - in their homes, businesses, in government and on mobiles. Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and more than 180 partners in 118 countries, the network provides ubiquitous internet service to a quarter of the world's population. Avanti delivers the level of quality and flexibility that the most demanding telecoms customers in the world seek.

Avanti is the first mover in high throughput satellite data communications in EMEA. It has rights to orbital slots and Ka-band spectrum in perpetuity that covers an end market of over 1.7bn people.

The Group has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates satellites, ground stations, datacentres and a fibre ring.

Avanti has a unique Cloud based customer interface that is protected by patented technology.

Avanti Communications is listed in London on AIM (AVN:LSE).

www.avantiplc.com

About ERDF

The project has been awarded up to £1,202,711 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

For more information visit

www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding