UK Satellite Operator Avanti Enters the Mobile Connectivity Market

London-based Satellite operator Avanti has officially entered the Mobile connectivity market (i.e. providing capacity for WiFi and 4G Mobile networks to aircraft, ships etc.) for the first time by securing a 2-year contract worth around £3.5 million ($4.5m) with an unnamed partner.

So far Avanti has invested a total of around £940 million ($1.2bn) to build a network that incorporates Satellites, gateway stations, datacentres and a fibre ring. The first two Satellites – HYLAS 1 and HYLAS 2 / 2B – have already been sent into orbit around the Earth and these provide broadband services to premises (homes, businesses and governments) around the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. A further two spacecraft are due to follow.

However the operator now appears keen to branch out into new markets, particularly the Mobile sector for in-flight connectivity, drones, trains, cruise ships and so forth.

David Williams, CEO of Avanti, said:

“With an estimated value of over $6.5billion per annum, the mobility market offers high opportunity to Avanti. The Avanti system which, with the launch of HYLAS 4 stretches from the Americas to South Asia, was built with flexibility and quality in mind. Therefore we have already been able to accommodate the first significant contract for network in-fill in the mobility market.

With the market adopting services faster than other operators can build new fleets, our existing capacity should find attractive growth opportunities in the mobility market, and we believe that the mobility market is likely to absorb much of the excess capacity in the World market.”

Sadly the name of the company acquiring the Mobile capacity is considered “commercially confidential” and has thus not been revealed.