Broadband satellite operator Avanti Communications has announced a new strategic partnership with Hughes Network Systems, a leading supplier of satellite network services and equipment. Hughes will now be able to take advantage of the capacity on Avanti's HYLAS satellite.

Hughes will purchase capacity and managed services using Avanti’s Virtual Network Operator service on HYLAS over a ten year period to an initial value of £7.5m in order to continue to grow its own established European networks business with clients in sectors such as oil and gas and lotteries.


Hughes has also committed to sell HYLAS services, and give Avanti access to Hughes’ distribution channels in Europe – which currently account for more than 35,000 customer installations. Hughes has a global market share in the provision of satellite networks to enterprise customers of over 50%.

In response Avanti has purchased equipment from Hughes for use at the HYLAS network control centre, in line with capital budgets. Avanti has also secured a five year framework supply agreement enabling its 52 VNO customers around Europe to purchase Hughes’ customer premises equipment (dishes and modems) at a market beating price.

This equipment enables end-users to operate broadband Internet services at speeds of up to 10Mbps, and the pricing enables Avanti’s VNOs to provide service with a lower customer installation charge.