London based communications group, Avanti, announced the launch of its Ka-band satellite Hylas 2, which is planned to deliver high-speed data capacity in Africa, Middle East and Caucasus.

David Williams, chief executive of Avanti Communications, said , “I am delighted that our second satellite, Hylas 2, has been successfully launched and is operating under our control."

“It will now undertake a series of pre-planned in orbit acceptance tests over the coming three months before we commence service for customers,” he explained.

The company says the launch of the Hylas 2 across Southern and Eastern Africa, the Middle East and the Caucasus, could change everything in the data markets of those regions.

“I am very excited about our prospects for growth,” said Williams.

“We have always believed there is a huge opportunity for satellite communications services in emerging markets because growth for data and voice services is high whilst supply of telecoms network capacity is low,” Williams concluded.