Hylas satellite 'being prepared at assembly facility'

The Hylas satellite, being developed by Avanti Communications to improve broadband connectivity in the UK, is being prepared for launch at an assembly facility in India.

Avanti plans to use the satellite to provide broadband services of up to eight megabits per second to more remote regions of the UK where conventional networks and fibre optic cabling are prohibitively expensive to deploy.

Progress is reportedly going well and the company plans to deliver the satellite towards the middle of next year.

David Williams, chief executive of Avanti, said: "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."

The satellite could help deliver the government's universal connectivity policy by beaming down broadband services to remote communities from space.

Setting up regional wireless networks is another technology being considered to improve broadband access in rural areas, as satellite services could be expensive in the short term.