Avanti hires MDA for HYLAS 3 satellite broadband payload

Information solutions provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) signed a CA$35 million contract with U.K. satellite company Avanti Communications Group plc. MDA will design and build a Ka-band broadband communications payload solution for Avanti's HYLAS 3 satellite.

Avanti's HYLAS 3 satellite will deliver high-capacity, high-speed data communications services to Africa and the Middle East. This includes numerous satellite communications and broadband services. Avanti expects a 2015 launch.

Avanti selected MDA to work on its HYLAS 3 payload due to the Canadian company's expertise in Ka-band multi-beam solutions. "MDA is delighted to begin work on HYLAS 3," said Don Osborne, MDA Vice President, "To leverage its world-class Ka-band satellite technology in support of Avanti's continued growth and success."