MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has signed a contract valued at approximately CA$35 million with United Kingdom-based Avanti Communications Group plc to provide a Ka-band broadband communications payload solution for their HYLAS 3 satellite. HYLAS 3 will provide satellite data communications services covering Africa and the Middle East, and is expected to launch in 2015. The award of the HYLAS 3 payload to MDA is another testament to MDA`s leadership position in Ka-band multi-beam solutions.
Don Osborne, the vice president responsible for this business, said “MDA is delighted to begin work on HYLAS 3 to leverage its world-class Ka-band satellite technology in support of Avanti’s continued growth and success.”
About MDA
MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide.
Focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, MDA delivers a broad spectrum of information solutions, ranging from complex operational systems, to tailored information services, to electronic information products.
The Company’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TSX:MDA.
About Avanti Communications
Avanti sells satellite data communications services to telecoms companies which use them to supply residential, enterprise and institutional users. Avanti’s first satellite called HYLAS 1, launched on November 26, 2010 and is the first superfast broadband satellite launched in Europe. Avanti’s second satellite, called HYLAS 2, is on target for launch in August 2012. It will extend Avanti’s coverage to Africa, Caucasia and the Middle East. Avanti’s third satellite HYLAS 3, to be launched in partnership with ESA in 2015, will provide further capacity in the EMEA region. 80% of Avanti’s fleet capacity will address the Emerging telecommunications markets of Africa, Caucasia and the Middle East.
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Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
www.avantiplc.com
