[Satellite TODAY 10-22-10] U.K. satellite ISP Avanti Communications’ Hylas 1, the first of its next-generation broadband satellites, is slated for launch Nov. 25th after the spacecraft arrived at Arianespace’s launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, Oct. 20.
    On-site preparations for the launch on an Ariane 5 are underway, and Avanti recently added broadband services contracts with U.K. information technology and communications companies InTouch Systems and DSL Telecom to its roster. The satellite operator also said that the Hylas 2 satellite is fully funded and is on track for launch in the 2012 second quarter.
     Avanti Communications CEO David Williams also released a statement on the potential impact of spending cuts listed in the U.K. government’s Critical Spending Review and how its measures could impact the rollout of broadband across the United Kingdom.
    “Avanti welcomes the government’s recognition that there is still a very large population in the United Kingdom without access to reasonable quality broadband. The 530 million pound ($836.1 million) penciled in potentially to finance new projects in the next five years obviously goes nowhere near the 30 billion pound cost ($47.3 billion) of fibering all United Kingdom homes, but with the imminent arrival of Hylas 1 and its 10Mb satellite broadband available to every home in the United Kingdom, there are now cost effective options available to the consumer,” Williams said in the statement.