Avanti Communications has launched HYLAS 1 satellite which it claims to allow hundreds of thousands of rural residents and businesses across Europe to access broadband for the first time.
The company said that the multi-million pound HYLAS 1 satellite is the first of its kind to be launched outside the United States on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guyana.
The countries that will be able to get broadband access through HYLAS 1 satellite are UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia and France.
Avanti Communications chief executive David Williams said it is a landmark day for the many consumers and businesses across Europe, who have been frustrated by lack of access to adequate broadband, it means that finally there is the opportunity to solve the digital divide.
"The launch of our satellite today means that access to broadband in remote areas is no longer on the distant horizon," Williams said.
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