BT signs five-year deal for UK satellite broadband

Avanti Communications Group seals deal worth £1.2m

Avanti Communications Group has signed a £1.2m, five-year deal with telecoms giant BT to provide satellite broadband services to parts of the UK.

The agreement will allow BT to provide broadband via Avanti's HYLAS 1 satellite, which was launched on 26 November this year.

As part of the £132m, next-generation access project, in which BT is a major partner, the satellite services will provide broadband access to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Avanti said the deal is an example of how the challenge of getting next-generation broadband to rural areas can be met, and that a combination of technologies will ensure rural parts of the UK will not be left behind.

"I am delighted that Avanti will be working alongside BT to ensure all residents of Cornwall will be able to connect to high-speed broadband services," said David Williams, Avanti chief executive.

"We firmly believe that our complementary business models will provide an example to the rest of the UK and Europe of how to solve the digital divide," he added.

It has also been stated that the agreement does not limit provision to Cornwall, and it seems the door has been left open for BT to provide satellite broadband services to other parts of the UK.