Avanti Communications Group plc [AIM: AVN], the broadband satellite operator, is pleased to announce that its HYLAS satellite payload has arrived safely at the ISRO satellite assembly facility in India where it is now being integrated into the platform and prepared for launch. Within a few days of arriving in India the first payload panel was successfully integrated and work is proceeding well. The satellite is firmly on track for delivery in Q2, 2010.

David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti, said: “I am pleased that we are now in the final phase of assembly. The demand in the market for satellite broadband is getting stronger every month as can be observed by our recent contract wins. Also the consensus in government, evidenced by this week’s Select Committee Enquiry into broadband, shows that Avanti will be delivering a much needed and highly valued service across Europe.”

Avanti sells satellite broadband services to telecoms companies which use them to supply homes and businesses. Their first satellite, called HYLAS is under construction and will be the first superfast broadband satellite launched in Europe. The market for 2Mb satellite broadband products in Europe is estimated at more than 70 million households. Avanti currently provides satellite broadband services to customers in Europe using leased satellite capacity which it will transfer to HYLAS on launch. The European Commission has set aside funding for rural broadband projects in 79 regions across Europe with a total value of EUR2.8 billion over the next five years.