The European Space Agency (ESA) reports that Avanti Communications new HYLAS1 broadband Satellite , which will offer consumer TV, voice and internet connection speeds of up to 8Mbps download and 2Mbps upload around the UK and Europe , is still on schedule for launch after successfully completing a series of crucial tests.

In mid-May, thermal-vacuum testing was completed in Bangalore, India. The thermal-vacuum test is the most demanding phase of satellite testing. For Hylas, it involved taking the complete satellite between the temperature extremes it will experience in orbit several times over a period of four weeks.


The satellite itself will be shipped to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana during August. HYLAS1 will then be launched from a dedicated Soyuz vehicle and should be delivering broadband internet access services by the end of this year. The satellite is designed to have a lifetime of 15 years, and will be launched into a geostationary orbit at 33.5 Degrees West.

However HYLAS could be a tough sell in the UK and will need to beat Eutelsat's prices and usage allowances (i.e. 3.6Mbps with a 2.4GB usage allowance for around £30 per month) if it is to stand a good chance of breaking into remote and rural communities.

Prices of £15 per month have been hinted at in the past, although we do not currently have any concrete idea of what the service itself will look like. Further HYLAS1 details, including some hints about their future 50Mbps HYLAS2 project, can be found in last year's interview.

Avanti UK Rural-Satellite Broadband ISP Interview:
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/articles/09_avanti_uk_rural_satellite_broadband_isp_interview/

In related news Avanti has signed a ten year contract for the sale of 100Mb of services on HYLAS1 to a new customer who will deliver Triple Play (broadband, TV and voice over IP) to consumers in the UK and Ireland. In addition to high speed broadband, consumers will be able to receive a bouquet of scheduled, broadcast TV channels over HYLAS1, in the style of current free to air terrestrial services.