Satellite operator Avanti Communications Group has officially launched its South Africa-based operations as it continues a corporate revamp and continued investment and focus in Africa.

“The announcement is underpinned by Avanti’s continued commitment to investing in Africa through a direct local presence backed by in-country solutions to enable and facilitate connectivity through key partnerships both in South Africa and throughout the region,” says Avanti sales director and Southern Africa country manager Brenden Pronk.

To date, Avanti has invested over $897-million in sub-Saharan Africa, with $143-million in South Africa alone.

The UK-based group, which provides Ka-Band satellite data communications services across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, established the in-country presence in Johannesburg as of August 29.

The group also has in-country presence in Nigeria and Kenya.

“Avanti aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling and facilitating connectivity with existing providers to cover the gaps that exist in the industry. The bigger picture is creating fully connected societies for the benefit of people, communities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises alike,” he adds.

The new corporate identity encapsulates its vision to connect homes, grow businesses, extend networks, change lives, and go the extra mile to liberate untapped potential.

In line with this, Avanti launched its third high throughput satellite HYLAS 4 in April, effectively completing its coverage across Africa, in addition to adding the capability to cover markets across Latin America.

HYLAS 4 will operate with 64 fixed and four steerable beams from five Gateway Earth Stations to significantly extend Avanti’s coverage to West and Central Africa for the first time.

“This development will provide affordable high-speed satellite broadband to connect homes, SMEs, schools, enterprises and mobile operators across sub-Saharan Africa, especially in rural and remote locations where terrestrial networks are limited,” Avanti chief marketing officer Christian Georgeson concludes.