UK Space Agency

UK Space Agency

Avanti, the broadband satellite operator, welcomes the announcements made yesterday by Lord Mandelson and Lord Drayson concerning the launch of the UK Space Agency.

In particular, Avanti applauds the Government's commitment to "Develop Space as a complementary ICT infrastructure to fibre-optic and wireless superfast broadband". Having worked in partnership with the Government to launch HYLAS 1 this year, Avanti looks forward to a long and fruitful collaboration in this objective.

David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti, commented: "It was an honour to be asked to join the Steering Board which wrote the industry's proposals to government and I am delighted to see that the vibrant young UK space industry has been identified as a major driver of future UK economic success.

"In the short term, we will deliver a solution to the digital divide. In the medium term, we will create global businesses that the UK can take pride in."

---ENDS---

For further information please contact:

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

David Williams

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 Q3 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.