[Satellite TODAY 10-24-11]  Avanti Communications has signed a new deal for capacity on Hylas-1 worth a minimum of £13.6 million ($21.17 million), the company announced Jan 23. The deal is with QSAT of Ireland. As part of the deal, QSAT will also acquire (subject to completion of administrative processes) certain end-user broadband consumers, which Avanti has within its legacy business. Avanti says the aim here is to remove operating expenses and a channel conflict with Avanti’s wholesale distribution strategy.            
     Approximately half of the capacity that QSAT has purchased will be used to service these existing customers and half is additional capacity to support QSAT’s planned growth outside of Ireland. “At QSAT we are delighted with our association with Avanti. The Avanti Hylas-1 system offers the best quality, reliability and flexibility in the market and QSAT plans to grow a large International business with Avanti,” Niall Quinn, QSAT Chairman said in a statement.