[Satellite TODAY Insider 02-16-11] Avanti Communications expects its 2011 full-year revenues to see a significant upward curve in the second half of the year following the launch of its first satellite Hylas 1, the company announced in its latest financial results issued Feb. 14.
    Avanti reported 2011 first half revenues of 1.2 million British pounds ($1.9 million) for the six months to the end 2010, a decline of 2.1 million pounds ($3.4 million) compared to 2009. The company said its current order book of 229 million pounds ($367 million) puts it in a strong position for the remainder of the year as it negotiations for business on Hylas 1 and Hylas 2 worth 389 million pounds ($623.4 million).
    Jefferies International Satellite Equity Analyst Nick Bell said his firm is impressed with the operator’s sales numbers, which were ahead of consensus expectations. "The company confirmed that one of the bigger orders on Hylas 1, announced last March and subject to the Eastern European customer raising necessary financial guarantees, is proceeding. Avanti confirms 186 megabits of capacity with the balance of 114 megabits (not included in backlog) expected to be taken up. The company has high confidence that it will achieve its target of filling Hylas 1 within three years and Hylas 2 within five. The combined value of the backlog and pipeline amount to over three years of our estimated peak sales on the two satellites," Bell said in a research note.
    The operator said it is planning the launch of Hylas 2 and Hylas 3 to tap into the demand for Ka-band capacity. Hylas 2 is expected to launch in the first half of 2012 while the operator seeks financing for Hylas 3.
    Separately, Avanti announced it signed five new contracts for Hylas 1 services in Europe with Buzz Networks and Rural Broadband UK of the United Kingdom, Broadband Algarve of Portugal, and Globatel of Spain. Prime Satellite Broadband, an existing Avanti customer, signed a three- to five-year contract extension for more capacity. The company also was selected by the European Space Agency to support the definition of a new Broadband project called Broad Band Mediterranean Development (BB-MED) in a contract worth 250,000 euros ($337,455). The objective of BB-MED is to implement a broadband Internet service for the underserved regions of the Union for the Mediterranean.

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