EE Limited’s Rook phone. Photo: EE Limited.

[Via Satellite 05-11-2016] Avanti Communications has received a contract from EE Limited to provide satellite capacity for cellular backhaul. The satellite operator will connect a number of cellular sites across the United Kingdom to EE’s network using the Hylas 1 and 2 satellites to provide communications in remote areas and additional network resilience. The first phase of this multiyear contract has an initial value of $29 million, plus options to double the capacity.

“We are delivering a highly resilient, truly nationwide 4G network and Avanti will play a key part in providing resilience and extending this network into rural areas,” said Mansoor Hanif, director of radio access networks at EE.