AVANTI COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Their core work

Avanti Communications is a UK-based satellite operator that provides broadband connectivity services, particularly focused on bridging the digital divide in underserved areas. In H2020 projects, they contribute satellite communication infrastructure and expertise to enable hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks, 5G backhaul solutions, and affordable internet access architectures. They also apply their satellite capabilities to adjacent domains like logistics information systems, disaster management, and cognitive radio for spectrum management.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 involvement (2015-2016), Avanti focused on foundational connectivity challenges — affordable internet access, delay-tolerant networking, and novel communication architectures for underserved populations (RIFE, A-BAM, SCREEN). From 2017 onward, they shifted decisively toward 5G integration, taking on a coordination role in SaT5G and contributing to 5GENESIS for end-to-end 5G network experimentation and system integration. This evolution mirrors the broader telecom industry pivot from bridging basic connectivity gaps to positioning satellite as a critical component of next-generation 5G infrastructure.

Avanti is positioning itself as a go-to satellite partner for 5G and beyond-5G network projects, making them a strong candidate for future 6G or non-terrestrial network consortia.

How they like to work

Avanti primarily operates as a participant or third-party contributor (7 of 8 projects), providing satellite infrastructure and expertise to larger consortia. They coordinated once (SaT5G), demonstrating leadership capability when the topic aligns with their core satellite-5G proposition. With 117 unique partners across 20 countries, they are well-networked and comfortable operating in large, multi-national consortia — a pattern consistent with a commercial infrastructure provider that plugs into diverse research teams rather than driving the research agenda itself.

Avanti has built a broad European network of 117 unique consortium partners across 20 countries, reflecting extensive reach across the telecom, space, and ICT research communities. Their network is diversified rather than concentrated, suggesting they adapt to different consortium configurations rather than relying on repeat partnerships.

What sets them apart

Avanti occupies a rare position as a commercial satellite operator actively engaged in EU research — most satellite operators of their size stay outside Horizon consortia. They bring real operational satellite infrastructure to the table, not just theoretical models, which makes them valuable for projects needing actual connectivity testbeds. For consortium builders, partnering with Avanti means access to live satellite capacity for demonstrations and pilots, not just paper contributions.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SaT5G
  Avanti's only coordinated project and largest funding (EUR 729,813), directly targeting the strategic satellite-5G convergence market.
• 5GENESIS
  Part of a major 5G experimentation and showcasing platform, positioning Avanti within the EU's flagship 5G validation infrastructure.
• HEIMDALL
  Demonstrates cross-sector application of satellite connectivity to disaster management, with the second-largest funding (EUR 595,341).