Avanti Communications gets new satellite broadband contracts in UK

New contracts have been awarded to Avanti Communications, the company that plans to provide satellite broadband services throughout Europe.

The UK government's Technology Strategy Board will be exploring uses of the technology to help fulfil its universal connectivity scheme, which could deliver faster download times and more efficient VoIP solutions.

In addition, Avanti will be used to supply broadband services to rural communities that are too isolated to make fibre optic cabling a viable option.

David Williams, chief executive of Avanti, said: "It is now clear to all that Avanti's broadband satellites will have a major role in solving these problems for governments around the world."

The company plans to use its Hylas satellite to provide broadband services from space and the device is currently being constructed in India.

Every home in the UK is scheduled to receive a broadband connection of at least two megabits per second by 2012 under the government's universal connectivity plan and wireless networks are also being considered as a way of connecting more remote communities throughout Britain.