Avanti Communications : closes the digital divide for 18,000 teachers and 216,000 students in Tanzania with its award-winning iKnowledge project

Avanti Communications Group plc ('Avanti'), a leading provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa ('EMEA'), is delighted to announce that it has won the 'Changing Lives' award for its innovative iKnowledge Project at East Africa Com 2018.

iKnowledge brings digital classrooms to schools in Tanzania. Bringing high-speed satellite internet to rural and suburban schools facilitates the training of ICT and digital skills for teachers, as well as providing educational content to both primary and secondary schools. The project is driving improved educational outcomes for Tanzanian teachers and students.

iKnowledge is funded by the UK Space Agency's International Partnership Programme (IPP) and Avanti, supported by international and local partners, including the Tanzanian Ministry of Education, Tanzanian Education Authority, President's Office Regional Administration and Local Government and Universal Communications Service Access Fund.

Teachers and students can access satellite broadband via Avanti's HYLAS 2 satellite, which provides 100% coverage of Tanzania. Broadband is installed and supported through local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), while the ICT hardware, digital skills training, and educational content are delivered in partnership with Avanti, Camara Education Tanzania, and Discovery Learning Alliance.

iKnowledge has connected over 310 primary and secondary schools across 25 regions in Tanzania, bridging the digital divide for up to 216,000 students. The project, which has been running for three years has positively impacted teachers and students in remote schools. Through satellite internet connectivity and ICT training, teachers can now access the latest educational content online and deliver it straight into classrooms.

Watch the iKnowledge video here - http://www.avantiplc.com/iknowledge-tanzania/

Graham Peters, Managing Director of Avanti Government, said: 'We're delighted that the iKnowledge Project has been recognised within the industry and presented the 'Changing Lives' award. Through Avanti's high-speed satellite broadband, innovative thinking and collaboration with our project partners, iKnowledge has made teachers and pupils digital citizens of Tanzania.'

The UK Space Agency's International Partnership Programme uses UK space expertise to deliver innovative solutions to real-world problems across the globe. IPP seeks to maximise the practical impact on the lives of those living in developing countries by partnering with developing countries to use space solutions to solve their specific development challenges, and in doing so increase their capacity.

For further information, please contact:

Avanti - [e-mail]

Notes to Editors:

About Avanti Communications

Avanti connects people wherever they are - in their homes, businesses, in government and on mobiles. Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and partners in 118 countries, the network provides ubiquitous internet service to a quarter of the world's population. Avanti delivers the level of quality and flexibility that the most demanding telecoms customers in the world seek.

Avanti is the first mover in high throughput satellite data communications in EMEA. It has rights to orbital slots and Ka-band spectrum in perpetuity that covers an end market of over 1.7bn people.

The Group has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates satellites, ground stations, datacentres and a fibre ring.

Avanti has a unique Cloud based customer interface that is protected by patented technology.

Avanti Communications is listed in London on AIM (AVN:LSE).

www.avantiplc.com