News
Avanti signs deal to supply satellite backhaul capacity using the HYLAS 1 and 2 satellites.
EE plans to make use of satellite capacity for backhaul services on its 4G network, spending US$29 million in the first phase of a multi-year deal with Avanti Communications Group with options to double the capacity.
The UK-based mobile operator has already revealed plans to cover 95% of the U.K. landmass by 2020, while BT recently said that Openreach and EE would between them spend £6 billion over the next three years on fibre and 4G coverage. EE plans to build 750 new cell sites as part of the 4G expansion plans.
Now, Avanti said it has won the contract to supply satellite backhaul capacity using the HYLAS 1 and 2 satellites, to provide communications in remote areas and additional network resilience.
Mansoor Hanif, director of radio access networks at EE, said: “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.”
EE already plans to extend 4G coverage to around 92% of the U.K. landmass by mid-2017 under the emergency services network (ESN) contract it won in December 2015.
BT completed the acquisition of EE in January this year and has already reported its first quarterly and full-year results including the mobile operator.
In its fiscal year to 31 March, BT said adjusted EBITDA increased by 5% to £6.58 billion, including £261 million from EE, while adjusted revenue was 6% higher at £18.9 billion.
