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Aventus Group

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FY2012 Annual Report · Aventus Group
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100/35/00/15

Go where you 
want to go

100/35/00/15

Avanti Communications Group plc

74 Rivington Street 
London 
EC2A 3AY

www.avantiplc.com

Avanti 
Communications 
Group plc

Annual Report and Accounts 
2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100/35/00/15

Avanti Communications sells 
satellite data communications 
services to telecoms companies 
which use them to supply 
enterprise, institutional and 
consumer users.

Avanti’s first satellite, called HYLAS 1, launched 
in November 2010 and was the first superfast Ka-
band satellite launched in Europe. Avanti’s second 
satellite, called HYLAS 2, was launched in August 
2012 and extends Avanti’s coverage to Africa, the 
Caucasus and the Middle East. HYLAS 3 will also 
serve Africa in 2015. 

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Officers and Professional Advisers

Bankers
HSBC Bank Plc
70 Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5EZ

Solicitors
Osborne Clark
2 Temple Black East
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6EG

Registered Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1 Embankment Place
London
WC2N 6RH

Directors
F E J G Brackenbury CBE
Chairman

D J Williams
Chief Executive

D J Bestwick
Managing Director Cyprus

N A D Fox
Group Finance Director

M J O’Connor
Chief Operating Officer

D A Foster 
Non-Executive Director

W P Wyatt
Non-Executive Director

C R Vos
Non-Executive Director

M Walker OBE
Non-Executive Director

P Walsh
Non-Executive Director

Secretary
N A D Fox

Registered Office
74 Rivington Street
London
EC2A 3AY

Company Number
6133927

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
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Contents

01 Overview

Chairman’s Statement

Our Strategy

Our Satellites

Our Business

02 Business Review

Chief Executive’s Statement

Finance & Operating Review

03 Governance

Board of Directors

Employees

Corporate Social Responsibility

Directors’ Report 

Corporate Governance Report

02

04 

06

08

12

18

22

24

28

30

35

04 Financial Statements

Independent Auditors’ Report

36

Consolidated Income Statement 37

Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position

Company Statement  
of Financial Position

Statement of Cash Flows

37

38

39

40

Statements of Changes in Equity  41

05 Shareholder Information

Notes to the Accounts

Notice of Annual  
General Meeting

Proxy Form

Officers and  
Professional Advisers

42

75

79

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Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Highlights

HYLAS 1: first anniversary of satellite launch and service launch

HYLAS 3: fully financed and construction commenced

HYLAS 2: successfully launched shortly after the financial year-end

P02

This has been a year of very strong growth for 
Avanti. The momentum of launching our second 
satellite in as many years to expand coverage to a 
total of 53 countries has created very significant 
demand. Within the emerging markets that Avanti 
serves our flexible and resilient technology is 
winning business from customers who urgently 
need reliable, high quality communications. 

John Brackenbury CBE, Chairman

Backlog increased very significantly during the 
last year, as our sales efforts in preparation for 
HYLAS 2 launch generated noticeable success. 
We are already almost fully sold out on a 
number of our beams with good progress in 
many others. Middle East and Southern Africa 
are particularly strong markets.

David Williams, Chief Executive

P12

Over the year the build of HYLAS 2 and the 
ground station infrastructure was completed 
with fixed asset additions of £68.6 million 
leaving a net book value of £372.3 million

Nigel Fox, Group Finance Director

P18

02

Chairman’s Statement

The launch of service on 
HYLAS 2 over Africa and the 
Middle East gives us access 
to markets showing high 
economic and structural 
growth in demand for 
telecoms services. We look 
forward to the continued 
development of Avanti with 
growing confidence.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

I am pleased to present the results for the year ended 
30th June 2012, a year of significant achievement. 
With the first full year of revenues from HYLAS 1, the 
launch of our second satellite, HYLAS 2 shortly after 
the financial year end and the commencement of 
construction of our third satellite, HYLAS 3, Avanti now 
has a significant presence in the satellite industry. 

With two operational satellites, Avanti is now a resilient, 
market leading operator of genuine scale, and this is 
reflected in changing customer perceptions and the order 
intake which results. Avanti has broader international 
Ka-band coverage than any other satellite operator in the 
World, and having pioneered unique technologies and 
business models is at the forefront of developments in the 
emerging markets which it prioritises.

The very significant increase in our Backlog of contracted 
customer orders during the year results from several factors. 
Firstly, HYLAS 1 continues to grow in the high value added, 
higher margin applications areas we target in Europe. 
Secondly, the experience of operating HYLAS 1 for over a year 
has given great confidence to our customers in Africa and 
the Middle East, who have been able to test real services in 
advance of the HYLAS 2 launch and see for themselves the 
quality and resilience Avanti has designed into its system. 
Thirdly, the emerging markets are experiencing high demand 
resulting from strong underlying economic growth and 
poor existing telecoms supply. The financial performance 
we expect to deliver in the next few years is increasingly 
well underpinned by Backlog. Performance for the year 
to June 2012 was in line with management expectations. 

 
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of income over the lifetime of contracts, regardless of upfront 
cash inflows. We continue to prepare the Board and corporate 
governance standards for life on the Full List. 

Finally, I am pleased to announce that HYLAS 2 has 
completed all test and commissioning activities, and is now 
open for business in all beams and territories. Following 
a successful campaign, we have also verified that the 
conservative engineering margins that were built into our 
plans are no longer necessary. This means that we now have 
11GHz of capacity available for sale to customers, rather 
than the 9GHz originally planned. 

This has been a year of very strong growth for Avanti. The 
momentum of launching our second satellite in as many years 
to expand coverage to a total of 53 countries has created very 
significant demand. This is now evidenced in our contract 
backlog which grew by 57% in the year. Within the emerging 
markets that Avanti serves our flexible and resilient technology 
is winning business from customers who urgently need reliable, 
high quality communications. The formal launch of service 
on HYLAS 2 over Africa and the Middle East gives us access 
to markets showing high economic and structural growth 
in demand for telecoms services. We look forward to the 
continued development of Avanti with growing confidence. 
I should like to take this opportunity to give the Board’s 
appreciation to our executive team and staff for their 
dedication to a successful launch of HYLAS 2 and the good 
work this year in building the Company. 

John Brackenbury, CBE 
Chairman

Moreover, we have consistently achieved the target of an 
average £11 million of new backlog every month that we set 
ourselves in December 2011. This is a useful metric and is 
the key performance measure applied to our sales efforts. If 
we continue to sign contracts to this value each month, then 
we could expect to achieve our target to have finished filling 
our current fleet in 2016. Backlog of customer contracted 
revenues has increased from £171m to £268m. We are 
approaching full capacity on a number of our beams. 

Whilst backlog is strong, it is a little more back-ended 
than expected as customers have typically committed to 
five year contracts with bandwidth usage which sharply 
escalates during the later period of the contract. Thus they 
lock in availability whilst minimising risks as they build their 
business. The benefit of 18 months selling on both satellites 
now gives the Board more empirical data with which to plan 
future activity, and the Company has used this data to offer 
conservative guidance to the market. 

During the year, we entered into an agreement for the 
construction of HYLAS 3 in a project on a spacecraft shared 
with the European Space Agency (“ESA”). ESA’s project has 
been in preparation for a number of years and we were very 
pleased to be chosen as their partner following a competitive 
tender. At the same time as finalising contracts with ESA, we 
were able to raise £75m in equity to finance fully the entire 
HYLAS 3 project. ESA played a critical role in the development 
of HYLAS 1 and we are pleased to have HYLAS 3 under 
construction and scheduled for launch in late 2015.

With HYLAS 3 fully financed and under construction, 83% 
of Avanti’s capacity addresses emerging markets. This focus 
is critical for Avanti. These countries continue to exhibit 
strong economic growth, and this, combined with the limited 
telecoms infrastructure, presents a strong opportunity, 
capitalised upon by our early backlog success. We are also 
pleased that our focus on building resilient, flexible networks 
is bearing fruit. As a result of this and product innovation we 
made significant breakthroughs this year in carrier services 
and enterprise markets where margins are strong and we have 
technological advantages. We are also playing to our strengths 
in broadband, choosing our partners carefully and focussing on 
areas of technical advantage. 

The Board believes that a move to the Full List is in the best 
interests of the Company and Shareholders and is actively 
working on preparations for this. The Company also continues 
to evaluate options for additional satellites, but only if they can 
be prudently debt financed without recourse to shareholders. 
Bearing in mind these forthcoming activities, the Board has 
adopted an increasingly conservative accounting treatment for 
certain FY12 transactions, particularly relating to the deferral 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

04
04

Our Strategy

We prioritise flexibility, resilience and quality of 
service in order to meet the complex and changing 
needs of service providers in many geographies and 
application markets.

Our strategy is underpinned by four Axioms which 
have remained unchanged since we first embarked 
on our journey in 2002.

Emerging markets 
are the most 
attractive

The highest supply/
demand imbalance  
The highest potential 
delta on GDP growth

The greatest 
acceptance of satellite 
technology with the 
most limited physical 
infrastructure

Predicting the 
direction and 
quantum of data 
growth is impossible, 
but flexible satellite 
design can address it 

New devices and 
applications are 
constantly developing 
and changing usage 
patterns

Avanti has focused 
on providing broad 
and flexible satellite 
coverage to enable us 
to capture growth in 
demand for bandwidth, 
wherever it comes from

Avanti Axioms

Data usage will 
continue to grow in 
double digits for the 
foreseeable future

Penetration rates  
will increase:
» 

 Only 32.7% of  
global population  
had internet access  
at December 2011

» 

 Developed World 
penetration rates are 
60%–80%. Emerging 
markets are <40%. 
Africa is only 13.5%

Data usage per user  
will increase:
» 

 Global mobile data usage 
grew 230% in 2011

» 

» 

 Avanti has seen average 
MB downloaded per 
user double in 5 years

 New applications are 
developing, such as asset 
tracking, which will 
massively increase the 
number of devices 
requiring data connectivity

Terrestrial 
infrastructure will 
not satisfy universal 
demand 

Existing terrestrial 
technologies all  
have limits:
» 

 Copper, Fibre and 4g 
have limitations that 
prevent more than 
98% coverage in even 
the most advanced 
and densely populated 
countries like the UK. 
Coverage is far lower in 
less developed countries

There is inadequate 
capital to roll-out 
terrestrial networks in 
emerging economies

Many applications 
are just better suited 
to satellite (security 
and defence, video, 
ubiquitous networks)

Strategic Drivers

Strategic Drivers

Strategic Drivers

Strategic Drivers

We target data traffic  
of all kinds

We spread our coverage 
widely to offer ubiquity 
of our service

We prioritise flexibility 
in network design and 
also resilience and 
security to win on 
Quality of Service

We continue to strive  
to maintain early  
mover advantage  
in new territories 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Our Model

Our sights are entirely focussed on reaching 
customers wherever they are, and providing  
them with the means to communicate effectively 
and consistently.

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Avanti Differentiators

Flexibility

»     Our satellites are designed to move 

capacity between countries and regions to 
accommodate differentials in demand growth 
and mitigate risks

» 

 Our design clusters country beams together 
at single Earth Stations to give maximum 
control to national customers

Security

» 

» 

 Avanti builds strong and safe spacecrafts and 
launches on the most reliable launch vehicles 
to guarantee customers’ success

 We design the highest level of encryption and 
security into our satellite communications

» 

» 

» 

» 

 We offer raw bandwidth, managed megabit 
and customer account styles of purchase, to 
accommodate different customer appetites 
for control and systems integration

 We offer a multi-vendor platform in ground 
equipment to accommodate customer choice

 Our earth infrastructure is highly resilient. We 
pioneered a novel system for managing dual 
redundant gateway antenna, ensuring both 
the high availability and quality of our service

 Overlapping satellites and beams  
provide redundancy 

Growth

» 

» 

 We are extending our capacity and coverage 
to serve our customers better

» 

 The launch of HYLAS 2 has resulted in a  
280% increase in our capacity

 We are continually researching and 
developing new products as well as 
improving the efficiency of our satellites  
so we can serve more customers

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
06

Our Satellites

Avanti’s satellites are unique in 
offering flexible capacity. 

We build-in the ability to move power between 
beams and even steer beams to different regions. 
This enables us to target growing markets and ensure 
demand throughout each satellite’s life.

Our Satellites

HYLAS 1

HYLAS 2

HYLAS 3

The first Ka-band satellite in Europe 
serves every country between Ireland 
and Poland. We enjoyed its successful 
launch in November 2010 and target to 
have it full by Spring 2014.

H1 can variably re-deploy power 
between beams and can change the 
frequency at which it operates.

HYLAS 2 launched in August 2012 and 
uses the latest Ka-band technology to 
deliver high speed, low cost two-way 
data communications. Deploying 24 
fixed beams and one steerable beam, 
HYLAS 2 provides customers with the 
flexibility to address current and future 
markets across Europe, the Middle East, 
Caucasia and Africa.

HYLAS 3 is being constructed under 
a joint venture agreement with the 
European Space Agency. It will consist 
of eight beams within a single steerable 
antenna that can provide coverage of 
an area equivalent to a region the size 
of Southern Africa. It will be positioned 
covering Africa and the Middle East.  
The project is fully financed.

Orbital Location: 33.5° W

H2 can switch power between beam pairs.

Lift Off Mass: 2300 Kg

Life: 15 years

Payload Power: >2.0 kW

Capacity: up to 3 GHz

Geography: Europe

Orbital Location: 31.0° E 

Lift Off Mass: 3200 Kg

Life: 15 years

Payload Power: 5.0 kW

Capacity: up to 11 GHz

Geography: Europe, Middle East, 
Caucasia and Africa

Coverage can be moved entirely from 
day-to-day with a steerable array.

Launch Date: 2015
Life: 15 years

Capacity: up to 4.0 GHz

Geography: Middle East and Africa

Watch the launch of HYLAS 2

www.avantiplc.com/hylas2

Avanti’s second satellite, HYLAS 2, launched on 2 August 2012 and brings superfast 
Ka-band satellite capacity to the Middle East, Caucasia and Africa.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
Geographic reach

We combine steerable capacity and the ability 
to shift power between beams to enable us 
to meet changes in market demand across 
Europe, the Middle East, Caucasia and Africa.
Europe, the Middle East, Caucasia and Africa.

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Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

0808
08

Our Business

Our technology has fundamentally  
changed the economics of high-speed  
data communications.

Our Customers

Enterprise

Broadband

Avanti has worked in the 
most challenging locations 
– and always delivers 
consistent, reliable services 
based on our world leading 
technology platform 
that provides high-speed 
connectivity to customers 
across the EMEA region.

Avanti is committed to 
helping Enterprises compete 
and grow. Our Ka-band 
infrastructure, flexibility and 
security help address data 
communications  
needs across a wide variety  
of sectors. 

advantages of supra-national 
high speed coverage evident, 
but Avanti has designed its 
network with a higher degree 
of encryption, security, 
resilience and flexibility than is 
common in the industry. 

Modern companies make 
widely differing demands of 
their telecoms networks. Some 
need to move vast amounts of 
data from point to point, others 
need to trickle tiny volumes 
of data from large numbers 
of sites. What is common in 
the Enterprise sector is – a) a 
need for ubiquitous service 
across territories to avoid 
the problems of integrating 
different technology platforms; 
b) a need for the highest level 
of security and encryption; c) a 
demand for very high resilience 
and up-time; and d) rapid, easy 
deployment. Our network 
addresses these requirements 
perfectly. Not only are the 

The applications for our 
technology in Enterprise 
include: Satellite News 
Gathering (or “outside 
broadcasting”), Telemetry 
for utility companies, remote 
medical data collection, EPOS 
data collection as well as 
bespoke, proprietary corporate 
networking.

Avanti’s customers are 
represented across a broad 
range of industry sectors 
including energy, broadcast, 
construction, oil & gas and 
finance. Every one of our 
customers benefits from our 
integrated support systems, 
24/7 customer service and low 
cost Ka-band space segment.

Traditional methods 
of broadband internet 
provision are not possible 
in many parts of the 
world. The HYLAS fleet of 
satellites provides high 
speed coverage over those 
areas that other network 
operators cannot service 
in Europe, the Middle East 
and Africa.

Satellite broadband is 
ideal where there is 
limited or no terrestrial 
connection available. 
It is independent of 
distance to the telephone 
exchange, quick to install 
and competitively priced. 
Avanti has exceptional 
experience of deploying 
high speed satellite 
broadband to support 
homes and businesses that 
require internet access but 
cannot get a fixed-line fibre, 
copper or cable connection.

For case study, see p10

For case study, see p16

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
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Carrier Service
Carrier Service

Defence & Security
Defence & Security
Defence & Security

We provide the lowest cost 
We provide the lowest cost 
We provide the lowest cost 
IP Trunking solution for ISPs, 
IP Trunking solution for ISPs, 
IP Trunking solution for ISPs, 
delivering many hundreds 
delivering many hundreds 
delivering many hundreds 
of Mb/s into POPs at prices 
of Mb/s into POPs at prices 
of Mb/s into POPs at prices 
previously only possible 
previously only possible 
previously only possible 
with fibre. 
with fibre. 
with fibre. 

We support network 
We support network 
We support network 
operators who want to 
operators who want to 
operators who want to 
extend their networks, 
extend their networks, 
extend their networks, 
improve coverage quality 
improve coverage quality 
improve coverage quality 
or build satellite into their 
or build satellite into their 
or build satellite into their 
backhaul strategy. Avanti’s 
backhaul strategy. Avanti’s 
backhaul strategy. Avanti’s 
range of satellite solutions 
range of satellite solutions 
range of satellite solutions 
offers the flexibility to 
offers the flexibility to 
offers the flexibility to 
facilitate this in a rapid and 
facilitate this in a rapid and 
facilitate this in a rapid and 
cost effective manner.
cost effective manner.
cost effective manner.

Fixed line and wireless 
Fixed line and wireless 
carriers’ revenues are 
carriers’ revenues are 
proportional to their 
proportional to their 
ability to provide breadth 
ability to provide breadth 
and consistent quality 
and consistent quality 
of connectivity to their 
of connectivity to their 
customers. Carriers are 
customers. Carriers are 
constantly looking for 
constantly looking for 
new ways to extend 
new ways to extend 
their network coverage, 
their network coverage, 
appealing to new 
appealing to new 
customers whilst improving 
customers whilst improving 
existing overburdened 
existing overburdened 
infrastructure to deliver a 
infrastructure to deliver a 
great customer experience.
great customer experience.

Avanti has established 
Avanti has established 
Avanti has established 
a leading position in the 
a leading position in the 
a leading position in the 
deployment of small 
deployment of small 
deployment of small 
cell mobile telephone 
cell mobile telephone 
cell mobile telephone 
solutions, which provide 
solutions, which provide 
solutions, which provide 
mobile and Wi-Fi network 
mobile and Wi-Fi network 
mobile and Wi-Fi network 
operators with the 
operators with the 
operators with the 
capability to extend their 
capability to extend their 
capability to extend their 
network reach or deal with 
network reach or deal with 
network reach or deal with 
network traffic overload.
network traffic overload.
network traffic overload.

Ka-band is revolutionising 
Ka-band is revolutionising 
Ka-band is revolutionising 
the delivery of high-
the delivery of high-
the delivery of high-
speed operational and 
speed operational and 
speed operational and 
welfare services for the 
welfare services for the 
welfare services for the 
defence, homeland and 
defence, homeland and 
defence, homeland and 
civil security sectors. 
civil security sectors. 
civil security sectors. 
Ka-band offers significant 
Ka-band offers significant 
Ka-band offers significant 
cost savings without 
cost savings without 
cost savings without 
compromising on data 
compromising on data 
compromising on data 
throughput or security.
throughput or security.
throughput or security.

HYLAS 2 is equipped with 
HYLAS 2 is equipped with 
HYLAS 2 is equipped with 
a steerable beam which 
a steerable beam which 
a steerable beam which 
enables a fast response 
enables a fast response 
enables a fast response  
to crises and the ability 
to crises and the ability 
to crises and the ability  
to deploy additional 
to deploy additional 
to deploy additional 
capacity at any time to 
capacity at any time to 
capacity at any time to 
any location within the 
any location within the 
any location within the 
satellite’s view of the 
satellite’s view of the 
satellite’s view of the 
earth. In addition, Avanti’s 
earth. In addition, Avanti’s 
earth. In addition, Avanti’s 
ground infrastructure 
ground infrastructure 
ground infrastructure  
and high levels of 
and high levels of 
and high levels of 
encryption in military 
encryption in military 
encryption in military 
spectrum bands provides 
spectrum bands provides 
spectrum bands provides 
a secure and resilient 
a secure and resilient 
a secure and resilient 
base for national and 
base for national and 
base for national and 
international operations.
international operations.
international operations.

For case study, see p20
For case study, see p20

For case study, see p26
For case study, see p26
For case study, see p26

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

10
10

Go 
capture

An example of the many specialist applications 
served in the Enterprise market.

Enterprise

Satellite News Gathering (SNG) 
for the IP Generation

The Challenge
Satellite communication is vitally important for news gathering organisations 
which rely on secure, robust connectivity for reporting from some of the 
most remote areas of the world. This includes regions where communications 
infrastructure is non-existent or has been badly impacted by wars or  
natural disasters. 

The Solution
Avanti’s Satellite News Gathering (SNG) proposition delivers a flexible,  
resilient and secure service. Simple and transparent tariffs, which include 
bookable capacity, bookable throughput and immediate use, ensure all 
broadcast requirements are covered. Our competitive pricing and service  
levels address the growing requirements for high bandwidth and cost effective 
content contribution. 

The Benefit
Avanti provides a flexible and cost effective service perfectly suited to the 
fast-paced and often unpredictable world of news gathering. The proposition 
will operate over HYLAS satellites, providing coverage across EMEA. Developed 
in close association with Europe’s leading terminal manufacturers, Avanti’s 
approach will ensure broadcasters have a wide choice of technical solutions 
available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Go 

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Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
12

Chief Executive’s Statement

During the year, the HYLAS 
1 Orbital filings at 33.5°West 
were finalised in the ITU 
Master Register, and Avanti’s 
Bringing Into Use of its filings 
at 31°East were accepted by 
the ITU BR and are therefore 
progressing towards 
finalisation in the usual 
way. We have received the 
necessary Space Licenses for 
HYLAS 1 and 2 from the UK 
Space Agency. It is significant 
for a satellite operator to 
achieve these milestones, as it 
provides underpinning to the 
solidity and future capabilities 
of the business.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Our results for the year show the first full year 
of revenues from HYLAS 1. In the year we made 
significant progress with products in Enterprise 
and Carrier Services. We made good progress in 
broadband in Northern Europe, although Southern 
Europe remains challenging. 

The experience of operating this satellite has also greatly 
assisted us in building backlog for HYLAS 2 to a level which 
now provides significant underpinning to trading. Backlog 
increased very significantly during the last year, as our sales 
efforts in preparation for HYLAS 2 launch generated noticeable 
success. We are already almost fully sold out on a number of 
our beams with good progress in many others. Middle East and 
Southern Africa are particularly strong markets and demand 
has been evenly split between Carrier Services, Enterprise and 
Broadband, with some Defence and Security orders coming 
through slowly. 

The construction of HYLAS 2 was finished within budget and 
the satellite launched shortly after the year-end, only a couple 
of months beyond the original guidance. We are pleased 
to announce that HYLAS 2 is open for service on all beams. 
Also it is satisfactory to note that the significant margin for 
error built into the satellite design by our engineers has not 
been necessary, and as a result we are able to sell 11GHz of 
capacity, not the 9GHz originally planned. Advances made in 
customer modems in the last few years are also resulting in 
very high efficiency in converting raw capacity into IP services. 
We are therefore delighted with the outcome of the HYLAS 2 
procurement, and have a highly competitive, as well as resilient 
and flexible service offering. During the year, the HYLAS 1 

13

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Orbital filings at 33.5°West were finalised in the ITU Master 
Register, and Avanti’s Bringing Into Use of its filings at 31°East 
were accepted by the ITU BR and are therefore progressing 
towards finalisation in the usual way. We have received the 
necessary Space Licenses for HYLAS 1 and 2 from the UK Space 
Agency. It is significant for a satellite operator to achieve these 
milestones, as it provides underpinning to the solidity and 
future capabilities of the business.

During the year we also signed contracts for the construction 
of HYLAS 3 and raised the capital to fully finance it. With 83% 
of our satellite capacity focused on emerging markets, we are 
very encouraged by the resilience that these economies are 
showing in the current global environment and that demand is 
coming through strongly. 

Current Trading and Outlook
Our Backlog of contracted orders and the Pipeline of potential 
contracts have both increased sharply during the year. Backlog 
has jumped by 57% and now stands at £268 million, (2011: 
£171 million) while Pipeline has increased to £552 million 
(2011: £473 million). We are satisfied that orders are flowing 
at the level necessary to meet our long term targets to fill our 
fleet, although the shape of the curve to get us there varies a 
little from plan. We are applying the right strategy in Europe, 
focussing on high value added business opportunities with our 
unique technical advantages. We are also delighted to have 
launched service in Africa and the Middle East during a period 
of unprecedented high demand growth in those regions. 

HYLAS 3 procured and fully financed
In January 2012, Avanti was selected by ESA as its partner in a 
new satellite project following a competitive tendering process 
and in February we raised £75 million to enable us to fully 
finance our share of the project. We have now commenced the 
construction of HYLAS 3 in a partnership with them. Avanti and 
ESA have worked together successfully in the past on projects: 
in particular ESA and Avanti collaborated on ESA’s first Public 
Private Partnership which led to the successful launch of HYLAS 
1. We are very pleased to have been selected by them to 
participate in this innovative project.

HYLAS 3 will provide Avanti with a payload under our control 
delivering 4GHz of Ka-band capacity. This will be configured 
across eight beams within a single steerable antenna that can 
provide coverage of an area equivalent to a region the size of 
Southern Africa and can be moved anywhere in Africa and the 
Middle East throughout the life of the satellite. Delivery into 
orbit is expected in 2015. 

The advantage for us of entering into a partnership 
agreement with ESA is that Avanti reduces costs relating 
to the satellite platform, launch vehicle, insurance 

and project management. We have entered into fixed 
price contracts for our payload and launch. Given the 
overlapping geographic coverage of HYLAS 2 and HYLAS 
3, there should be little additional operating expenditure 
relating to HYLAS 3.

Business Overview
We have delivered strong service quality on HYLAS 1 and a 
flawless launch and entry into service of HYLAS 2. Our focus on 
prioritising flexibility to customers in terms of how they buy 
and use our services, along with the very high resilience we 
have built in space and ground infrastructure, is winning us a 
good reputation with expert customers.

We have continued to see steady growth in orders and 
enquiries for our services on HYLAS 1 and 2. The extra 
credibility we have from operating two satellites covering a 
significant part of the Globe has led to a compression in the 
average sales cycle, although larger transactions are still taking 
longer than six months to conclude. The opportunity for HYLAS 
2 potential customers to trial products on HYLAS 1 before they 
enter into contracts helped us to speed up the buying process 
on that satellite.

We are also seeing a significant number of existing 
customers make repeat purchases in existing territories, or 
extending their operations into new territories. We have 
a full strength field sales force of seventeen professionals 
(plus sales support staff), with offices in South Africa, 
Kenya, Cyprus and UK. We made significant improvement 
in marketing in the year, creating a new communications 
plan, undergoing a modest re-brand and further refining 
and developing our end-user Applications, which can be 
summarised as follows: 

Enterprise
Our Enterprise applications include for example Business 
Internet Continuity, SCADA for utilities, connections for 
oil rigs, and movie distribution for Digital Cinema projects. 
Our flexible, resilient, power networks are uniquely well 
suited to the demands of professional users in challenging 
environments. Our networks can be customised to a very 
high degree, enabling Avanti to say “Yes” to a customer 
request far more often than our competitors can. During 
the year, we also chose to launch a number of discrete 
products to Enterprise users targeting specific niches 
with common needs. For example, in September 2012 we 
announced the launch of our Satellite News Gathering 
(“SNG”) product which uses our pioneering Ka band 
technology to deliver a flexible range of services to news 
gathering organisations operating on the move. Our 
SNG products are already contracted by one national 
broadcaster with another on trial.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
14

Chief Executive’s Statement continued

Broadband
Avanti’s broadband customers range from governments and 
incumbent telcos to small resellers. The flexibility of our 
networks, platforms and commercial approaches enables us 
to accommodate almost every market strategy. Good demand 
in Northern Europe has been evident during the year, and 
in order to convert the demand to sales Avanti has focused 
its marketing resources on supporting a small number of 
key service providers in their drive to increase penetration. 
In Southern Europe, the picture is weaker, with service 
providers struggling to make commitments to their own 
sales and marketing expenditure necessary. For this reason, 
Avanti launched a ground breaking Pay As You Go product, 
whereby a service provider is billed only for the data actually 
used by each customer. The flexibility of our Network, and 
the advanced Business Operations System which we designed 
and built ourselves makes such a product technically straight 
forward for Avanti, and this is creating helpful marketing 
differentiation. In Africa, not only is broadband demand very 
strong, but also it is not very price sensitive amongst the 
early movers. High end consumers and businesses in Africa 
simply cannot be without broadband, and today the services 
available even in big cities are often low quality, if available at 
all. This has been partly responsible for driving the growth in 
backlog on HYLAS 2.

Carrier Services
Fixed line and wireless network operators are constantly 
looking for new ways to extend their network coverage and 
also to cope with the ever increasing demand for bandwidth 
from existing customers. The relatively slow pace of terrestrial 
infrastructure growth caused by cost and operational 
difficulties has led to significant opportunities for Avanti’s 
products. Having proven our capabilities with HYLAS 1, we 
have launched products in both IP Trunking and wireless 
backhaul in the year.

•  We launched our IP Trunking product in May. The advances 
made in ground equipment have been significant recently, 
and Avanti’s flexible network is well positioned to 
benefit. This enables communications for voice and data 
at speeds of up to 365 Mbps, providing fibre equivalent 
speeds across large markets that would otherwise never 
experience such a high level of service. Combined with 
the very high power and efficiency available on HYLAS 
2, we are now experiencing spectral efficiency on HYLAS 
2 of greater than five times, meaning that IP trunking 
customers with special purpose ground equipment can 
realise effective pricing as low as they would achieve over 
fibre in some markets. This makes a major difference to 
the efficiency of ISPs in many African countries, and the 
product has already driven significant purchase of capacity 
in Southern and Eastern Africa. 

•  Avanti has established a leading position in the 

deployment of small cell wireless backhaul solutions, 
which provide wireless operators with the capability to 
extend their network reach and to provide service on a 
seasonal or occasional basis. Avanti signed its first fully 
commercial wireless backhaul service and launched the 
network with good performance. Two other network 
operators are now trialling the products in Europe with 
further traction expected in Africa. 

We see strong potential growth in Carrier Services as operators 
compete to extend their networks and mobile phone companies 
continue to seek ways to shift rapidly growing data traffic off 
their limited spectrum. The commercial breakthroughs made in 
the year position Avanti strongly to benefit from these trends. 
The full roll-out of a small number of these networks could 
fully consume our available capacity, and so it has been very 
important that we prioritised R&D in this market and we are 
delighted to see the results coming through.

Defence & Security
Ka-band is revolutionising the delivery of high-speed 
operational and welfare services for the defence and 
homeland security sectors. Ka-band offers significant cost 
savings without compromising on data throughput or 
security. The flexibility and resilience of Avanti’s satellites 
puts us at the forefront of providing this service. A number of 
our service providers are already providing welfare services, 
and we also completed trials in a number of more advanced 
application areas during the year. 

Financial Review
Turnover and Other Operating Income for the year increased 
246% to £15.0 million (2011: £6.1 million). This reflects the 
benefit of a 12 month period of sales for HYLAS 1 and is in line 
with the acceleration we expected. Revenue from HYLAS 2 will 
start to be realised in the fourth quarter of calendar 2012.

Our performance was in line with our management 
expectations for the year. The Board, giving consideration to 
the move to the Full List elected to adopt more conservative 
accounting treatments for certain FY12 transactions, 
particularly relating to the deferral of income over the lifetime 
of contracts, regardless of upfront cash inflows.

The Group reported an EBITDA loss of £5.3 million, which is 
down from £9.9 million in 2011. As anticipated, costs increased 
during the year as we incurred a full 12 month’s depreciation 
on HYLAS 1 as opposed to only three months in 2011, and we 
continued to invest heavily in our staff. Staff numbers, which 
increased by 41 overall to 152, were involved principally in the 
ramp up of the HYLAS 3 project and in boosting our sales and 
marketing teams in the run-up to HYLAS 2’s launch. 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
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Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Reconciliation of EBITDA:

Loss from operations

Add back: satellite depreciation 
net of ESA grant release

Add back: other depreciation 
and amortisation

2012
£’000s

2011
£’000s

(15,759)

(12,859)

8,973

2,126

1,484

(5,302)

813

(9,920)

Avanti continues to hedge all currency exposures as they 
become certain. The HYLAS 2 companies have a functional 
currency of US dollars and have borrowings similarly 
denominated, creating a natural hedge for our current major 
exposures. Transactional exposures are hedged using a variety 
of low risk instruments available from our banking relationships.

As we reported in the interim statements we settled an on-
going dispute with a former supplier fully in our favour. The 
settlement was made by way of new goods and services from 
the Supplier that will be used during the current financial 
year. The other operating income represents the value 
agreed at the arbitration.

The loss from operations was £15.8 million (2011: £12.9 million).

After an interest charge of £0.3 million, the Group reported 
a loss before tax of £16.0 million (2011: loss £12.7 million). 
The Group has carried forward net tax losses of £22.0 million 
(2011: £12.0 million). The loss per share was 14.86p  
(2011: 12.14p loss).

During the year, we raised £75.0 million in an equity placing 
to fully fund HYLAS 3, our joint venture project with ESA. 
We have a stable long-term balance sheet structure with an 
extended debt repayment profile. 

In addition, as the construction of HYLAS 2 approached its 
close, we drew an additional $76.0 million (£48.5 million) on 
our Export Credit Agency debt facilities. Our gross debt at the 
year-end increased from £119.0 million to £175.0 million.

David Williams 
Chief Executive

 
 
 
 
16
16

Go 
anywhere

An example of Avanti’s flexible and high quality 
approach to serving the varying needs of 
broadband service providers around the world.

Broadband

A new innovative  
broadband product 

The Challenge
Until now, both the provision and terms of high speed broadband has been an 
issue for second home owners and other occasional users. Many simply have no 
access to broadband at all, being located some distance from the nearest fibre 
optic cables, while others are unwilling to sign a 12 or 24 month contract when 
they only require the service for several weeks a year. 

The Solution
Avanti is the first Ka-band operator to develop and bring to the market a Pay As 
You Go (PAYG) broadband proposition. The service provides high speed satellite 
broadband for homes and businesses, in any location across Europe, but with no 
fixed term contract; instead customers pay for their service up front and can use 
it whenever they wish. Top-ups for more data are available when required. 

The Benefits
The new PAYG proposition allows infrequent users to purchase service on 
demand to match their usage requirements, wherever they are, and for however 
long they need. The service is ideal for:

•  Holiday home owners looking to use internet connectivity to make their 

properties more attractive to the holiday rental market

• 

• 

Those who need to stay in touch with the office while on holiday, or who  
can extend their holiday by being able to stay in touch

Families with children looking to access digital entertainment during  
their holiday (making the fortnight in the remote country farmhouse  
less stressful!)

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Go 

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Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
18

Finance & Operating Review

Other operating Income
A total of £2.6 million (2011: £0.6 million) has been recognised 
as other operating income in the 12 months to 30 June 2012.

During the year, the Company reached a successful conclusion 
to its dispute with a former supplier. Having been through a 
lengthy arbitration process Avanti was awarded €2.2 million, 
resulting in £1.8 million being recognised in the interim 
statements to 31 December 2011. The balance of the other 
operating income is a government grant and exchange gains on 
trade receivables and payables balances.

Taxation
The Group tax credit was £2.1 million (2011: £3.0 million credit), 
resulting in an effective tax rate of 13.3% (2011: 23.8%). The rate 
has been negatively affected by the fall in the UK corporation 
tax rate and we have not recognised an element of deferred tax 
assets which may not be recovered.

Loss per share
Loss attributable to shareholders is £13.4 million resulting in a 
loss per share was 14.86 pence (2011: loss 12.14 pence).

Financing and treasury
In February 2012, the Company successfully completed the 
placing of 26,785,714 ordinary shares at 280 pence per share. 
This was done to fully finance the procurement and launch of 
HYLAS 3 which will be a hosted payload aboard a European 
Space Agency EDRS satellite which is due to be launched in Q4 
2015. The gross proceeds were £75 million (net £73.9 million).

This placing increases the issued share capital to 111,736,849 
shares (2011: 84,951,135 shares) of which 4,266,060 are 
currently held in the Avanti Employee Benefit Trust.

We have continued to drawdown the HYLAS 2 facility from US 
EXIM and COFACE. At 30 June 2012 the gross debt was $266 million 
(£169.6 million) (2011: $190.3 million (£118.7 million)). The total 
facility is $328 million which will be utilised in calendar Quarter 4 
2012. Net debt stood at £98.3 million (2011: £80.2 million).

As at 30 June 2012 HYLAS 2 had not yet launched. It had, 
however, been fully insured for a value of $328 million at a 
rate of 8.4%. In addition, the Company had also taken out DSU 
insurance which covered the debt service payments if there was 
a 3 month delay in the launch of HYLAS 2. Subsequent to the 
year-end HYLAS 2 was successfully launched on 2 August 2012.

Key Performance Indicators
As the business develops a track record of our KPI’s will also 
be updated. At the moment the key metrics are in relation to 
backlog, both in terms of its absolute value, but also the average 
monthly rate at which new business is added. Our target 

The Group has reviewed its accounting policies in  
accordance with IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in 
Accounting Estimates and Errors” and determined that  
they are appropriate for the Group.

Operating performance
Following the first full year of operations, revenues  
and other operating income have increased by 246% to  
£15.0 million (2011: £6.1 million). HYLAS 1 has beams 
spread across Northern and Southern Europe. Northern 
Europe is performing well with Southern Europe showing 
some signs of weakness. However, power on HYLAS 1 is 
being shifted away from the Southern European beams 
and into those in the North.

With a full year of depreciation of HYLAS 1 in costs of sale, 
together with the pre-operational ground infrastructure 
costs for HYLAS 2, this has generated a gross loss of  
£4.3 million (2011: loss £2.2 million). Excluding the satellite 
depreciation charge of £9.8 million a gross profit of  
£5.5 million would have been recorded.

We have continued to invest heavily in our sales and marketing 
activities which has resulted in operating expenditure 
increasing to £14.0 million (2011: £11.3 million). We have 
increased our sales teams significantly with representatives 
now in all the major HYLAS 2 regions including South Africa, 
Kenya, Tanzania, Middle East and Eastern Europe. We closed 
the year with staff of 152 (2011: 111 FTE) with average 
numbers of 132 compared to 97 during 2011.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

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remains to add £11 million of new business on average each 
month which should enable the Hylas 1 and Hylas 2 satellites 
to be full by 2014 and 2016 respectively. Total backlog is now 
£268 million (2011: £171 million).

within 3 years of service launch and 4 years for HYLAS 2. Our 
backlog continues to grow in line with our expectations to 
achieve these targets. To date we have not seen evidence of 
any significant downward price pressure.

Currency hedging and exchange rates
Our policy remains to hedge all currency exposures as soon 
as they become certain through a combination of natural 
offset hedging and the use of low risk products through our 
relationship banks. Our most significant exposure is the 
HYLAS 2 debt which is denominated in US dollars. Given 
that the majority of our HYLAS 2 revenues will be US dollar 
denominated, the HYLAS 2 companies have a functional 
currency of US dollars thus hedging this exposure.

Balance sheet
There have been significant changes on the balance sheet in 
the last 12 months. Over the year the build of HYLAS 2 and the 
ground station infrastructure was completed with fixed asset 
additions of £68.6 million (2011: £148.3 million) leaving a net 
book value of £372.3 million (2011: £315.4 million).

Also during the year, following increased security over financing 
given to a key customer, Filiago GmbH & Co. (“Filiago”) the Group 
is now deemed to have effective control of that business and is 
required to consolidate the results and balance sheet of Filiago as 
if it had been acquired. As a result, the long term financial asset of 
£9.1 million shown on the balance sheet at 30 June 2011, is now 
treated as part the cost of control for the deemed acquisition and 
resultant intangibles. Full details of the constituent parts of the 
goodwill and intangibles are disclosed in note 13 on page 54.

Cash flow
Net cash balances increased to £76.7 million (2011: 
£38.8 million) following the equity placing in February 2012. 

Post Balance Sheet Events
On 2 August 2012, HYLAS 2 successfully launched from  
French Guyana on board an Ariane 5. On 10 September 2012, 
Avanti announced that we had successfully completed the in 
orbit testing of HYLAS 2. HYLAS 2 is located at 31°E and the 
commercial service has started.

Principal risk and uncertainty
Fill rates on HYLAS 1 and 2
• 

• 

Pricing

•  Counterparty credit risk

With the enhanced geographical spread with HYLAS 2, 
Avanti has developed processes to ensure that credit risk is 
minimised. Customers are generally invoiced in either quarterly 
or monthly in advance of the service being provided. Non-
payment of advance payments can ultimately lead to service 
being withdrawn.

Global economic environment
HYLAS 1 and HYLAS 2 will cover regions which are experiencing 
quite different economic fortunes.

HYLAS 1 which covers primarily Western Europe has been in 
service now for 15 months. The economic uncertainty in the 
whole of Western Europe has undoubtedly affected confidence 
not only in consumers but also small, medium and large 
companies alike. The continued debate about the future of the 
Euro dominates the headlines in Europe. Similar to last year it 
is difficult to show that recession is affecting our business. It 
probably is, but not in a profound or enduring way. We remain 
the provider of highly desirable services where demand is not 
met by current or planned supply, with end user consumers 
whose purchasing decisions are often distressed and thus not 
highly price sensitive.

In the HYLAS 2 coverage area demand is strong across our 
four business streams of Enterprise, Broadband, Carrier 
services and Defence. HYLAS 2 customers have been able to 
trial the services provided through HYLAS 1 which provides 
confidence in making commitments to HYLAS 2 capacity. 
Demand has been further enhanced by our focus on 
prioritising flexibility to customers in terms of how they buy 
and use our services, along with the very high resilience we 
have built in space and ground infrastructure. As a result a 
number of beams are approaching capacity.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Details of our critical accounting estimates and judgements are 
in Note 1 to the consolidated Annual Report. 

As in prior years the two key risks to the profitability and 
liquidity of the business is the rate at which we can fill both 
satellites and the prices at which we can do that. We have 
maintained our guidance that we expect to fill HYLAS 1  

Nigel Fox 
Chief Financial Officer

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
20

Go 
connect

An example of Avanti’s Carrier Services, which 
solve problems for terrestrial telecoms operators.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Go 

connect

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Carrier Services

Helping wireless operators grow  
their network

The Challenge: 
Wireless network operators aim to provide to their customers a resilient, 
high speed service with wide geographical network coverage. Uptime is vital, 
therefore network capacity must accommodate the high volumes of customers 
logged on at any one time. However this goal is often compromised by  
the limitations of the deployed network infrastructure in terms of reach  
and throughput. 

A pan-European wireless operator’s strategy of aggressive coverage roll out and 
coverage quality was vital to retain its market lead. However, it was unable to 
cost effectively extend its service beyond the limitations of the fibre and ADSL 
footprint it relied upon. 

The Solution
Avanti worked closely with the wireless operator to look at new ways in which they 
could increase their coverage reach and quality. The result was a partnership where 
Avanti’s satellite fleet was able to allow the partner to not only extend their network 
beyond the physical boundaries of traditional ground infrastructure but was also 
able to improve the quality of coverage by providing high bandwidth backhaul for 
locations where the existing ADSL infrastructure could not.

The Benefit
Avanti allows wireless operators to extend their network quickly and even across 
borders, providing cost effective high speed broadband access to locations 
where terrestrial broadband cannot. 

• 

• 

The coverage of Fibre and ADSL networks is either limited to urban areas, or drops 
off rapidly with distance from the exchange. Avanti’s satellites provide coverage in 
even the remotest of locations

 Network Homogeneity – Utilising a number of network providers and access 
technologies can mean complex and costly supplier management and networks. 
Wireless operators can leverage Avanti satellite as a single network solution, 
reducing complexity and cost of operation

•  Network Performance – Unlike ADSL or 3G services satellite provides high speed 

data rates regardless of where sites are throughout the footprint

•  Resilience – Satellite networks are able to operate independent of local 

terrestrial communications networks, often a critical consideration for rural 
and remote locations where terrestrial networks typically lack resilience and 
have poor reliability

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

22

Board of Directors

1

4

7

10

2

5

8

3

6

9

Strong and 
experienced Board

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

23

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1. John Brackenbury cBe* + •
chairman
John is founder Chairman of Avanti, he was awarded a CBE 
in June 2000 for his contribution to Tourism, Education and 
Employment. He is a leading industrialist with over 40 years 
of experience in the drinks and leisure sector. He is also 
President of Business in Sport and Leisure Limited, Trustee 
and Director of Springboard UK, Trustee and Director of 
Bradfield foundation, Trustee and Director of GamCare. John 
is the Chairman of the Nominations Committee of Avanti 
Communications Group plc.

2. David Williams 
Chief Executive
David is a co-founder of the Company. Prior to this 
he spent ten years working in the City financing 
telecommunications projects.

3. David Bestwick
Managing Director cyprus
David is a co-founder of the Company. David graduated from 
the University of Leicester in 1987 with a BSc in Physics with 
Astrophysics. Following three years at Marconi Research 
Centre (MRC), he joined VEGA Group PLC in 1990 where he 
worked on a wide range of satellite applications projects.

4. Nigel Fox 
Finance Director and Secretary
Nigel is a Chartered Accountant and has held various senior 
finance roles before joining Avanti Communications in 
2007, including Chief Financial Officer of Climax Group; 
Group Financial Controller at ARC International; Finance 
Director of Ruberoid Building Products, and Group 
Financial Controller of Ruberoid Plc.

5. Matthew O’Connor
Chief Operating Officer
Matthew joined Avanti in 2005 having worked in the 
telecommunications industry for 20 years initially for BT 
where he held a number of sales and marketing roles within 
the UK and International Divisions. He joined Telewest in 1996 
as a Director of its Business Division, where he was part of the 
team that grew the business from a £30m regional business 
to a £300m turnover national operation in 6 years. He went 
on to be Managing Director of the Wholesale Division with 
customers that included T-Mobile, 3, Cable and Wireless, NTL, 
and many telecoms re-sellers.

6. Alan Foster+ •
Non-Executive
Alan was a senior partner of de Zoete & Bevan for 
over twenty years and, on the creation of BZW Asset 
Management, he was appointed Deputy Chairman. This 
company was the forerunner of Barclays Global Investors. 
Alan is the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of 
Avanti Communications Group plc.

7. Professor Michael Walker OBE FREng
Non-Executive
Professor Walker is adviser to Vodafone Group Technology, 
having spent 18 years of his professional career there 
culminating in the post of Group R&D Director. He is visiting 
professor at the University of Surrey and sits on the scientific 
advisory boards for the Universities of Warwick and Surrey. 
He also holds directorships with Alacrity Foundation, 
Glasswall Solutions Ltd, Mobile VCE and Walker and 
Associates Telecoms Consultancy Ltd.

8. Richard Vos*
Non-Executive
Richard is a telecommunications and satellite professional, 
with international experience, gained over 40 years working 
in the industry. His previous positions included Chairman 
of SatCom Group Holdings plc, Inmedia Communications 
Ltd. and of Inmarsat Ventures PLC, and Head of Satellite 
Investments for British Telecommunications plc (BT), serving 
as Governor for the UK and Ireland on the Board of INTELSAT 
and as Chairman of the Board. Richard is the Chairman of the 
Audit Committee of Avanti Communications Group plc.

9. William Wyatt* + •
Non-Executive
Will is Chief Executive Officer of Caledonia Investments plc. 
He is also a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Bristow 
Group Inc, Cobepa, Melrose Resources plc, REI plc, TGE 
Marine AG, and Terrace Hill plc.

10. Paul Walsh
company Director
Paul Walsh is the CEO of Diageo plc. He was appointed to 
this position on 1 September 2000. Paul was chief operating 
officer of Diageo from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2000. 
Paul joined GrandMet’s brewing division in 1982 and became 
Finance Director in 1986. He held financial and commercial 
positions with Inter-Continental Hotels and in the GrandMet 
food business, becoming CEO of the Pillsbury Company in 
1992. Paul was appointed to the GrandMet Board in October 
1995, and to the Diageo Board in December 1997.

i

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Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
24

Our employees

Chairman

Space

Space

Networks

Space

Networks

Administration

Space

Marketing

Cyprus

Deployment

Consulting

Space

CEO

Deployment

Networks

Director

Sales

Reception

Space

Space

Networks

Deployment

Space

Administration

Goonhilly

Consulting

Finance Director

Sales

Customer Support

Sales

Customer Support

Networks

Consulting

Space

Consulting

Networks

Networks

Space

Reception

Cyprus

Goonhilly

HR

Sales

Space

Consulting

Non-Executive

Marketing

Graduate

Networks

Deployment

Networks

Deployment

IT

Finance

Space

Networks

Sales

Finance

Consultancy

Space

Networks

Consulting

Networks

Space

IT

Space

Networks

Graduate

Finance

Goonhilly

Deployment

Space

Sales

Space

Deployment

Marketing

Marketing

Deployment

Goonhilly

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

25

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Networks

Space

Consulting

Sales

Space

Space

Space

Sales

Customer Support

Graduate

Goonhilly

Sales

Non-Executive

Space

Finance

IT

COO

Space

Graduate

Graduate

Networks

Goonhilly

Legal

Marketing

Space

IT

Customer Support

Customer Support

Consulting

Networks

Finance

Board

Consultancy

General Counsel

Cyprus

Customer Support

Finance

Marketing

Non-Executive

Legal

Space

Sales

IT

Legal

Marketing

Marketing

Space

Development

Space

Goonhilly

Marketing

Investor Relations

Central

Development

Non-Executive

Graduate

Space

Space

Networks

Sales

Space

Consulting

Goonhilly

Goonhilly

Sales

Networks

Space

Space

Space

HR

Space

Finance

Customer Support 

Goonhilly

Consultancy 

Marketing 

Space

Networks

Consultancy

Deployment

Space

Sales

Finance

Goonhilly

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

26
26
26

Go 
secure

From securing assets in the UK, to connecting 
soldiers in Helmand to their families at home, 
Avanti serves Defence & Security markets with 
great value for money.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

27
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Defence & Security

Bringing security and protection  
to construction sites

The Challenge
A bridge construction project is expected to take five and a half years to 
complete. Throughout this time the site requires internet access, project 
management monitoring and most importantly, security surveillance. It 
is paramount that the construction site stays secure. The UK Home Office 
estimates the construction industry in the UK alone loses approximately  
£1 million a week in plant theft, with an indirect cost estimated at  
£400 million per year. 

The Solution
Avanti provides secure and resilient satellite uplinks for security 
communications. This enables the smooth operation of security cameras, 
such as live streaming cameras, which need to transfer large amounts of data 
quickly. Our solution requires no fixed telecom line, which makes them ideal for 
temporary construction site locations. 

The Benefit
Not only can the site be protected by CCTV cameras and access wireless 
internet, the HYLAS satellites provide high speed data transfer allowing the 
cameras to be used for project management. This allows the developers to 
keep track of the progress of the site without having to be present on the site 
itself, allowing for a more productive development.

The service Avanti provides is:
•  Quick to deploy, and to dismantle, sites can be up and running in no time and 
once the construction project is complete the service can be easily ceased

•  Cost effective – especially in streaming live CCTV cameras

•  Reliable – any construction site, however rural, can have access to  

high speed communications

•  100% Coverage – no matter what the location, premises can be protected with CCTV

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

2828

Corporate Social Responsibility

Initiatives to support the 
development of the British 
space industry 
The British space industry is estimated to generate revenues of 
£5.9bn for the British economy and employ around 19,100 people 
with a sector productivity of more than four times the national 
average – contributing some £145,000 per worker to UK GDP. Avanti 
is committed to supporting its growth through encouraging the 
development of students to become experienced staff capable of 
ensuring the long history of growth is maintained. By providing 
training and long term career prospects, we believe we are 
enhancing our industry’s prospects.

Graduate Recruitment Scheme
Our first intake of Graduate recruits started during the financial 
year. Our objective in commencing the Graduate Recruitment 
Scheme was to develop graduates with good, relevant science 
degrees into talented engineers and provide the platform for 
Avanti’s future growth from the inside. Since starting, our 
Graduates have rotated through different departments, enabling 
them to get a broad overview of our activities and see how the 
academic theory they focused on when at university marries with 
practical implementation. They have also had the opportunity to 
help on some of the more challenging aspects facing Avanti in the 
run up to the launch of HYLAS 2. They will now enter the second 
year of their programme by finalising their rotation before returning 
to a department that will enable them to develop their individual 
skills, whether it is in satellite procurement, satellite operations, 
sales & marketing, network operations or customer services. 

Following this success, we have a new intake in the current financial 
year and look forward to helping them as they contribute to the on-
going success of the UK Space Industry.

Apprenticeship Scheme
We have continued our Apprenticeship Scheme. This enables 
young people the opportunity to gain valuable work experience 
whilst earning a salary and it is a viable alternative to going to 
university. The scheme allows school leavers the ability to obtain 
valuable, nationally recognised NVQ Level 2 qualifications that also 
recognises their contribution to Avanti’s success.

Working with Hackney Community College
As a new initiative this year, we have started working closely 
with our local Sixth Form and Higher Education college, Hackney 
Community College. We support them in a number of ways:

•  Our Apprenticeship Trainees will receive their NVQ training at the 

college to support them in obtaining their qualifications. 

•  We have also assisted the college as it establishes Hackney 
University Technical College (UTC). This is a new college 
focused on vocational training in new technologies for those 
approaching GCSEs. The UTC works closely with local industry 
to ensure courses taught to students reflect the requirements 
of future employers. To this end, we have helped the UTC 
with the development of its curriculum and will be delivering 
specialist units throughout the school year. 

•  Avanti employees also offer themselves to the UTC Mentoring 

scheme which connects students with those working in relevant 
local businesses. 

•  A member of Avanti’s Management Team sits on the UTC Board 

of Governors. 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

29

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Continuing our relationship 
with SOS Children

Avanti has partnered with the African children’s charity,  
SOS Children, for the last five years. SOS Children is the 
world’s largest orphan charity, caring for children in 123 
countries. We are proud to help them in achieving their 
vision of a loving home for every child. 

This year we continued our activities through payroll giving, 
individual staff donations and staff fund raising initiatives.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

30

Directors’ Report

The directors have pleasure in presenting their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2012.

Principal activities
The principal activity of the Company is the provision of satellite communication services and is expected to be for the foreseeable future. The 
services are principally provided via Ka-band satellites. The first Avanti satellite, HYLAS 1 was launched in November 2010, and brought into full 
commercial service in April 2011. Our second satellite, HYLAS 2, was successfully launched on 2nd August 2012, one month after the year end.

Business review and key performance indicators (“KPI’s”)
The information that fulfils the requirements of the business review can be found in the finance and operating review on pages 18 to 19, which 
are incorporated in this report by reference. As the Company is still in the early stages of its strategy with a focus on the future, we do not 
currently have a focus on traditional KPI’s. Instead our business model is focussed on development of the satellite fleet and sale of capacity.  
The primary KPIs are the absolute level of backlog and the average monthly targeted addition to backlog of £11m. In the Chairman’s statement 
and Finance and Operating Review, we have highlighted key financial statistics such as revenue and operating profit, however given the nature  
of the business at the current time, we do not consider them to be KPI’s.

Results and dividends
The results for the year ended 30 June 2012 are shown on page 37. No equity dividend was paid in the year ended 30 June 2012 (2011: £nil). No 
final dividend is proposed at the year-end (2011: £nil). The loss for the year transferred to Shareholder’s funds was £13.4m (2011: loss of £9.7m). 
The net asset position at the year end is £269.6m (2011: £207.4m).

Qualitative and quantitative disclosures about interest, foreign exchange, credit and liquidity risks
A discussion of the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies and the exposure of the Group to interest rate, foreign exchange, 
credit and liquidity risk is included in Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Research and development
The Group continues to invest in new services and technology through its research and development programs which can lead to profitable 
exploitation of Avanti’s satellite capacity. These include pure research into new products as well as developing those services which have been 
demonstrated to have a profitable business case.

Directors
The directors who served during the year and are in office up to the date of signing were as follows:

F E J G Brackenbury CBE
D J Williams
D J Bestwick
N A D Fox
M J O’Connor
D A Foster
C R Vos
W P Wyatt
M Walker
P Walsh (appointed 3rd January 2012)

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

31

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Directors’ emoluments
Remuneration policy
The Company’s policy on remuneration of directors is to attract, retain and motivate the best people, recognising the input they have to the 
on-going success of the business. Consistent with this policy, the benefit package awarded by Avanti Communications Group plc to directors is 
intended to be competitive. They comprise a mix of performance-related and non-performance related remuneration designed to incentivise 
directors and align their interests with those of shareholders. The remuneration consists of base pay, annual bonus, long term incentive plan, 
share options, pension contributions and other benefits such as health care.

The remuneration of the directors including the highest paid director and Chairman was as follows:

For the year ended 30 June 2012

Executive

D J Williams

D J Bestwick

N A D Fox

M J O’Connor

Non-executive

F E J G Brackenbury CBE

D A Foster

W P Wyatt

M Walker

P Walsh

C R Vos

Total

For the year ended 30 June 2011 

Executive

D J Williams

D J Bestwick

N A D Fox

M J O’Connor

Non-executive

F E J G Brackenbury CBE

D A Foster

W P Wyatt

M Walker

I C Taylor MBE

C R Vos

Total

Salaries
£

314,000

232,365

184,000

168,000

110,000

40,000

35,000

35,000

17,500

40,000

Bonus 
£

314,000

230,000

127,000

95,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Other  
benefits 
£

82,443

112,745

35,347

23,337

5,608

–

–

–

–

–

Post  
employment 
benefits 
£

39,250

25,296

23,000

21,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total  
2012 
£

749,693

600,406

369,347

307,337

115,608

40,000

35,000

35,000

17,500

40,000

1,175,865

766,000

259,480

108,546

2,309,891

Salaries 
£

300,000

237,329

170,000

160,000

100,000

35,000

30,000

6,250

30,000

35,000

Bonus 
£

144,750

158,000

93,000

98,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Other 
benefits 
£

46,466

5,855

9,593

2,485

4,498

–

–

–

–

–

Post 
employment 
benefits 
£

95,750*

25,674

20,000

20,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
2011 
£

586,966

426,858

292,593

280,485

104,498

35,000

30,000

6,250

30,000

35,000

1,103,579

493,750

68,897

161,424

1,827,650

*During the year ended 30 June 2011, DJ Williams chose to take £58,250 of his bonus as additional company pension contribution.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
  
32

Directors’ Report continued

Directors’ Long Term Incentive Plans
Original allocations:

D J Williams

D J Bestwick

N A D Fox

M J O’Connor

Total

Outstanding allocations

D J Williams

D J Bestwick

N A D Fox

M J O’Connor

Total Executive

Core

565,480

350,741

137,501

139,238

1,192,960

Core

80,783

50,106

19,643

19,891

170,423

Exceptional

Extraordinary

350,741

209,384

50,000

69,445

679,570

279,884

279,884

50,000

69,445

679,213

Exceptional

Extraordinary

–

–

–

–

–

279,884

279,884

250,000 

269,445 

Total 

1,196,105

840,009

237,501

278,128

2,551,743

Total 

360,667

329,990

269,643

289,336

1,079,213

1,249,636

All unvested shares are held in the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT).

The Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) has been established by the Company with approval from the Remuneration Committee to reward and 
incentivise the Executive Directors and senior managers of the Company.

The LTIP allocations are in separate sub funds within the EBT and are subject to a discretionary Trust. The shares are subject to automatic 
revocation if certain criteria (set out below) are not met and continue to be revocable for the entire Trust period.

In the year ended 30 June 2011 an additional 200,000 LTIP shares were issued to both Nigel Fox and Matthew O’Connor respectively. These LTIP 
shares are subject to automatic revocation if the criteria for the Extraordinary Achievement tranche are not met. These expire on 30 June 2013.

The allocations into the LTIP vary for each executive. The total allocation to each executive is split into three separate tranches:

i) The Core Tranche
This element of the grant becomes exercisable in 7 equal instalments. The first instalment was exercisable on grant and the second on 
30 June 2008. The remaining 5 are annually thereafter. 6/7ths of this core grant is not automatically revocable.

ii) The Exceptional Achievement Tranche
The exceptional achievement tranche has now vested.

iii) The Extraordinary Achievement Tranche
This element of the grant is only exercisable if the Market Value of a Share exceeds £10 for a consecutive period of six months before 30 June 2013.

Non-executive Directors’ Unapproved Plans

F E J G Brackenbury CBE

D A Foster

C R Vos

Total

2012

15,715

3,750

–

19,465

2011

31,431

7,500

15,000

53,931 

Exercised in  
the year

15,716

3,750

15,000

34,466

The unapproved scheme was established during 2007. The options are issued for 10 years with 25% vesting at the end of years 3, 4, 5 and 6. There 
are no performance criteria associated with these options and they are exercisable as long as the option holder remains with the Company.

The total theoretical gain of the options exercised in the year by the above directors would have been £60,000 based on the average share price on 
the day of exercise.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
33

Directors’ share interests
The following Directors held interests in the share capital of the Company: 

D J Williams

D J Bestwick

N A D Fox

M O’Connor

F E J G Brackenbury CBE

D A Foster

W P Wyatt

C R Vos

M Walker

P Walsh

* date of signing this report.

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Fully paid Ordinary Shares of 1p each

18 October 2012*

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

1,651,901

1,247,848

1,643,801

1,231,648

112,977

177,200

420,076

392,500

25,342

21,030

–

87,428

109,677

154,009

415,076

392,500

25,342

21,030

–

67,428

1,587,092

1,211,648

109,677

154,009

380,432

388,750

25,342

6,030

–

–

At 30 September 2012, the Company had been notified, pursuant to the Financial Services Authority’s Disclosure & Transparency Rules, of the 
following notifiable voting rights in the Company’s issued ordinary share capital.

M & G Investment Management Ltd.

Caledonia Investments plc

Government of Singapore Investment Corp

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

Avanti Communications Group EBT

Legal & General Investment Management Ltd. (UK)

Directors & Related

Barclays, Plc.

London

London

Singapore

London/Los Angeles

London

London

–

Geneva/London/Madrid

21,790,683

15,347,000

7,012,044

6,942,112

4,261,060

4,134,976

3,906,150

3,504,460

In addition, 1.25 million shares are held under LTIP. Dividend and voting rights have been waived.

Policy and practice on payment of creditors
The Group’s policy and practice on payment of creditors is:

• 

• 

• 

To pay all suppliers within the time limit agreed at the start of business with that supplier;

To ensure that suppliers are aware of the terms of payment; and

To pay in accordance with the contractual and other legal obligations whenever it is satisfied that the supplier has provided goods  
and services in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions.

At 30 June 2012, the Company did not have any trade creditors (2011: nil).

Political and charitable donations
During the year the Group made no political donations. (2011: £4,000).

Corporate Governance
The Company’s statement on corporate governance can be found in the corporate governance report on page 35 of these financial statements. 
The corporate governance report forms part of this directors’ report and is incorporated into it by cross reference.

AGM Notice
The notice of the Company’s AGM can be found in the AGM notice on pages 75 to 80 of these financial statements.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

34

Directors’ Report continued

Post Balance Sheet Events
On 2 August 2012, HYLAS 2 successfully launched from French Guyana on board an Ariane 5. On 10 September 2012, Avanti announced that  
we had successfully completed the in orbit testing of HYLAS 2. HYLAS 2 is located at 31°E and commercial service has started.

Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance
Avanti Communications Group plc maintains appropriate insurance to cover Directors’ and Officers’ liability for itself and its subsidiaries. 
At the date upon this report was approved and for the year to 30 June 2012, the Company provided an indemnity in respect of all of the 
Company’s Directors.

Directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare 
the Group and parent Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these financial 
statements, the directors are required to:

• 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• 

state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements;

• 

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and 
hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website, www.avantiplc.com. Legislation in the United 
Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In the case of each director in office at the date the directors’ report is approved:

a) 

so far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; and

b) 

they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information 
and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Approved by the Board of Directors and signed on behalf of the Board

Nigel Fox
Secretary and Group Finance Director
London

18 October 2012

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

35

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Corporate Governance Report

The Group is quoted on AIM. Although the rules of AIM do not 
require the Company to comply with the Combined Code 2006 on 
Corporate Governance (‘the Code’) the Company fully supports 
the principles set out in the Code and will seek to comply wherever 
practical, given both the size and resources available to the 
Company. Details are provided below of how the Company applies 
those parts of the Code which it believes to be appropriate.

The Board
The Company has appointed non-executive directors to bring 
an independent view to the board and to provide a balance to 
the executive directors. The board of directors comprises four 
executive directors and six non-executive directors one of whom 
is the chairman. Despite the fact that some of the non-executive 
directors have share options, the board considers that each of the 
non-executive directors is independent. The board meets at least 
six times per year and receives a board pack comprising individual 
reports from each of the executive directors and members of the 
senior management team, together with any other material deemed 
necessary for the board to discharge its duties. The board has 
responsibility for formulating, reviewing and approving the Group’s 
strategy, budgets, major items of expenditure and acquisitions.

Board committees
The Board has established three committees: audit, remuneration and 
nominations, all having written terms of delegated responsibilities. 
Each is chaired by a different non-executive director. A copy of each 
committee’s terms of reference can be found at the Avanti website: 
www.avantiplc.com

Audit committee
The audit committee consists of R Vos, W Wyatt, and J Brackenbury 
and is chaired by R Vos. It meets at least four times a year and is 
responsible for ensuring that the appropriate financial reporting 
procedures are properly maintained and reported on and for meeting 
the auditors and reviewing their reports relating to the Group’s 
accounts and internal control systems. The committee also receives all 
internal operational review reports. 

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee consists of A Foster, J Brackenbury, 
and W Wyatt and is chaired by A Foster. It meets at least twice 
a year and is responsible for reviewing the performance of the 
executive directors and other senior executives and for determining 
appropriate levels of remuneration.

Nominations committee
The nominations committee consists of W Wyatt, J Brackenbury 
and A Foster and is chaired by J Brackenbury. It meets as and 
when necessary and is responsible for nominating candidates for 
appointment as Directors to the Board, bearing in mind the need for  
a broad representation of skills across the Board.

Shareholder relations
The Company meets with institutional shareholders and analysts 
as appropriate and uses its website to encourage communication 
with private, existing and prospective shareholders. Avanti 
Communications Group plc welcomes feedback from investors about 
its published reports and website. Please address your feedback 
to our investor relations team at College Hill Associates Limited in 
writing to College Hill Associates Limited, The Registry, Royal Mint 
Court, London EC3N 4QN.

Internal control and risk management
The Group operates a system of internal control and continues to 
develop and review that system in accordance with the guidance 
published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and 
Wales. The internal control system is designed to manage rather than 
eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives. The board 
is responsible for the system of internal control and for reviewing 
its effectiveness. It can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, 
assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The board operates a formal process of risk assessment and reporting. 
Each major business unit carries out formal risk assessments 
annually and regularly updates those during the year. Reports on the 
assessments and related mitigation actions of all significant risks are 
provided to the board.

The Group does not have an internal audit function due to the small size 
of the Company’s administrative function, the high level of director review 
and authorisation of transactions. However, the Company undertakes a 
programme of operational reviews designed to visit all major businesses 
on a regular basis. The finance director is responsible for that programme 
and its reporting to the audit committee. The board recognises that 
an essential part of its responsibility is the effective safeguarding of 
assets, the proper recognition of liabilities and the accurate reporting of 
results. The Group has a comprehensive system for regular reporting to 
the board. This includes an annual planning and budgeting system with 
budgets approved by the board.

The financial reporting system compares against budget and prior 
year and reconsiders its financial year forecast on a monthly basis. 
The board has established a formal policy of authorisation setting out 
matters which require its expressed approval and certain authorities 
delegated to the executive directors. 

In compliance with AIM rules the Company has established a policy 
and share dealing code relating to dealing in the Company’s shares by 
directors, employees and connected persons.

The Company maintains appropriate insurance cover in respect of 
legal actions against directors as well as against material loss or claims 
against the Group, and reviews the adequacy of cover regularly.

There were no notifiable environmental impacts at any Avanti 
Communications Group site during the financial year.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
36

Independent Auditors’ Report 
to the members of Avanti Communications Group plc

We have audited the Group and parent Company financial 
statements (the ‘‘financial statements’’) of Avanti 
Communications Group plc for the year ended 30 June 2012 which 
comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Statement 
of Financial Position, the Company Statement of Financial 
Position, the Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash 
Flows, the Consolidated and Company Statement of Changes in 
Equity and the related notes. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union and, as regards the parent Company financial 
statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on pages 34, the directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing 
(UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the 
Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and 
only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other 
purpose.  We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to 
whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save 
where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from 
material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This 
includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are 
appropriate to the Group and parent Company’s circumstances 
and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; 
the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made 
by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial 
statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial 
information in the Annual Report and Accounts 2012 to identify 
material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. 
If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or 
inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 

•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state 
of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs as at 30 
June 2012 and of the Group’s loss and Group’s and parent 
Company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 

•  the parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the  
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, the information given in the Directors’ Report for 
the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared 
is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters 
where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in 
our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

•  the parent Company financial statements are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

J Booker (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London

18 October 2012

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

Consolidated Income Statement
year ended 30 June 2012

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross loss

Operating expenses 

Other operating income 

Loss from operations 

Finance income 

Finance expense 

Net financing (expense)/income

Loss before taxation

Income tax credit

Loss for the year

Loss attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent 

Non-controlling interests

Basic loss per share (pence) 

Diluted loss per share (pence) 

37

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Year ended
30 June 2012
£’000

Year ended
30 June 2011
£’000

Notes

2

3

6

7

7

8

9

9

12,461

(16,781)

(4,320)

(13,998)

2,559

(15,759)

454

(702)

(248)

(16,007)

2,122

(13,885)

(13,400)

(485)

(14.86p)

(14.86p)

5,462

(7,678)

(2,216)

(11,279)

636

(12,859)

428

(296)

132

(12,727)

3,027

(9,700)

(9,700)

–

(12.14p)

(12.14p)

The notes on pages 42 to 74 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
year ended 30 June 2012

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations and investments

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent 

Non-controlling interests

Notes

Year ended
30 June 2012
£’000

Year ended
30 June 2011
£’000

(13,885)

(9,700)

1,489

(12,396)

(11,911)

(485)

(4,335)

(14,035)

(14,035)

–

Items in the statement above are net of tax. The income tax relating to each component of other comprehensive income is disclosed 
in note 18. 

The notes on pages 42 to 74 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
38

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position  
as at 30 June 2012

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Deferred tax assets 
Other financial assets
Total non-current assets 

Current Assets
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total current assets 
Total assets 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions for other liabilities 
Loans and other borrowings 
Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Provisions for other liabilities 
Loans and other borrowings 
Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Equity
Share capital 
Share premium 
Foreign currency translation reserve
Retained earnings 
Total parent shareholders’ equity 
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity 

Notes

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

11
12
18
13

16
17
23
19

20
23
21
22

20
21
22

24
24

372,278
9,008
5,591
–
386,877

881
13,475
129
76,700
91,185
478,062

18,157
–
3
4,967
23,127

15,347
–
170,001
185,348
208,475

1,117
262,319
(652)
7,288
270,072
(485)
269,587
478,062

315,390
3
3,386
9,135
327,914

1,284
7,916
–
38,829
48,029
375,943

30,395
83
30
397
30,905

18,997
3
118,678
137,678
168,583

849
188,678
(2,141)
19,974
207,360
–
207,360
375,943

The financial statements of company number 6133927 on pages 36 to 74 were approved by the Board of Directors on 18 October 2012 and 
signed on its behalf by:

Nigel Fox
Finance Director

18 October 2012

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

39

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Company Statement of Financial Position 
as at 30 June 2012

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Deferred tax assets 

Investments 

Total non-current assets 

Current Assets

Trade and other receivables 

Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Derivative financial instruments

Loans and other borrowings

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities

Loans and other borrowings

Total liabilities 

Equity

Share capital 

Share premium 

Foreign currency translation reserve

Retained earnings 

Total shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and equity 

Notes

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

18

14

17

23

20

23

22

22

24

24

282

97,725

98,007

165,946

129

166,075

264,082

31

–

232

263

349

612

1,117

262,319

174

(140)

263,470

264,082

191

84,728

84,919

105,190

–

105,190

190,109

3

83

–

86

–

86

849

188,678

174

322

190,023

190,109

The financial statements of company number 6133927 on pages 36 to 74 were approved by the Board of Directors on 18 October 2012 
and signed on its behalf by:

Nigel Fox
Finance Director

18 October 2012

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
40

Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash Flows 
year ended 30 June 2012

Group

Company

Year ended
30 June 2012
£’000

Year ended
30 June 2011
£’000

Year ended
30 June 2012
£’000

Year ended
30 June 2011
£’000

Notes

Cash flow from operating activities

Cash absorbed by operations

30

(12,314)

(1,025)

(60,913)

(24,936)

Interest received 

Interest paid 

Derivative cash received

34

(9)

–

Net cash absorbed by operating activities 

(12,289)

38

(87)

718

(356)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(60,913)

(24,936)

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for other financial assets and 
investments

Payments for property, plant and equipment 

Receipt on sale of motor vehicles

Cash received as part of business combination

–

(77,222)

10

2

(8,857)

(119,261)

3

–

(12,996)

(43,409)

–

–

–

–

–

–

Net cash used in investing activities 

(77,210)

(128,115)

(12,996)

(43,409)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings 

Proceeds from share issue 

Share issue costs 

Proceeds from lease and lease back

Finance lease paid 

48,452

–

75,000

(1,091)

5,337

(590)

118,475

(53,606)

70,000

(1,655)

567

(448)

–

–

75,000

(1,091)

–

–

–

–

70,000

(1,655)

–

–

Net cash received from financing activities 

127,108

133,333

73,909

68,345

Effects of exchange rate on the balances of 
cash and cash equivalents 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 
the financial year 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 
financial year 

19

262

37,871

38,829

76,700

(214)

4,648

34,181

38,829

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The notes on pages 42 to 74 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

41

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Total 
equity 
£’000

152,183

(9,700)

(4,335)

68,345

776

91

207,360

207,360

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Consolidated and Company Statement 
of Changes in Equity
year ended 30 June 2012

Consolidated

Share 
Capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Notes

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
£’000

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£’000

2011

At 1 July 2010

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Issue of share capital 

Share based payments

Tax credit taken directly to reserves 

At 30 June 2011

2012

At 1 July 2011

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Issue of share capital 

Share based payments

Tax credit taken directly to reserves 

At 30 June 2012

Company

2011

At 1 July 2010

Loss for the year

Issue of share capital 

Share based payments

Tax expense taken directly to reserves 

At 30 June 2011

2012

At 1 July 2011

Loss for the year

Issue of share capital 

Share based payments

Tax expense taken directly to reserves 

At 30 June 2012

686

120,496

–

–

–

–

163

68,182

–

–

–

–

28,807

(9,700)

–

–

776

91

2,194

–

(4,335)

–

–

–

849

188,678

19,974

(2,141)

849

188,678

–

–

–

–

268

73,641

–

–

–

–

1,117

262,319

19,974

(13,400)

–

–

631

83

7,288

24

25

18

(2,141)

–

1,489

–

–

–

(485)

(13,885)

–

–

–

–

1,489

73,909

631

83

(652)

(485)

269,587

Share 
Capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Notes

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
£’000

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£’000

686

–

163

–

–

120,496

–

68,182

–

–

849

188,678

849

–

268

–

–

188,678

–

73,641

–

–

776

(504)

–

54

(4)

322

322

(480)

–

27

(9)

174

–

–

–

–

174

174

–

–

–

–

1,117

262,319

(140)

174

24

25

18

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
equity 
£’000

122,132

(504)

68,345

54

(4)

190,023

190,023

(480)

73,909

27

(9)

263,470

The notes on pages 42 to 74 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
42

Notes to the accounts

1 Accounting Policies
Statement of compliance
The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the 
EU ”IFRS”, International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) Interpretations, and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to 
companies preparing their accounts under IFRS.

The principal activity of the Company is the provision of satellite communication services. The services are principally provided via Ka 
band satellites.

The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) and domiciled and incorporated 
in the UK.

The registered office of the Company is 74 Rivington Street, London, UK.

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been 
consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, with the exception of share based payments and 
financial derivatives, which are incorporated using fair value.

The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 to not present the parent Company 
income statement or statement of comprehensive income.

New and amended standards adopted by the Group
The following new standards, amendments to standards or interpretations were mandatory for the first time for the financial year 
beginning 1 July 2011 but are not currently relevant for the Group, or have had no material impact:

Amendments to various IFRSs and IASs arising from 2010 Annual Improvements to IFRS (effective 1 January 2011) 
Amendment to IFRS 7, ‘Financial instruments disclosure’ (effective 1 July 2011) 
IAS 34 (revised), ‘Interim financial reporting’ (effective 1 January 2011) 
Amendment to IFRIC 14, ‘Pre-payments of a Minimum Funding Requirement’ (effective 1 July 2011)
Revised IAS 24 (revised), ‘Related party disclosures’ (effective 1 January 2011)

New standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not effective for the financial year beginning 1 July 2011 and not early adopted
Amendment to IAS 1, ‘Financial statement presentation’ regarding other comprehensive income’ – The main change resulting from 
these amendments is a requirement for entities to group items presented in Other comprehensive income (OCI) on the basis of whether 
they are potentially recycled to the income statement (reclassification adjustments). The amendments do not address which items are 
presented in OCI. The amendments are generally applicable for annual periods beginning after 1 July 2012.

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’ – This is the first part of a new standard on classification and measurement of financial assets and financial 
liabilities, that will replace IAS 39, ‘Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement’. The changes proposed will mainly affect financial 
institutions. The amendments are generally applicable for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2015 subject to EU Endorsement.

IFRS 10, ‘Consolidated financial statements’ and IAS 27 (revised 2011), ‘Separate financial statements’ – This standard builds on existing 
principles by identifying the concept of control as the determining factor in whether an entity should be included within the consolidated 
financial statements. The standard provides additional guidance to assist in determining control where this is difficult to assess. This new 
standard might impact the entities that a group consolidates as its subsidiaries. The amendments are generally applicable for annual 
periods beginning after 1 January 2013 subject to EU Endorsement.

IFRS 12, ‘Disclosures of interests in other entities’ – This standard includes the disclosure requirements for all forms of interests in other 
entities, including joint arrangements, associates, special purpose vehicles and other off balance sheet vehicles. The amendments are 
generally applicable for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2013 subject to EU Endorsement.

IAS 27 (revised 2011) ‘Separate financial statements’ – This standard includes the provisions on separate financial statements that are left 
after the control provisions of IAS 27 have been included in the new IFRS 10. This will be applicable for periods beginning after 1 January 
2013 subject to EU Endorsement.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

43

IFRS 13, ‘Fair value measurement’ – This standard aims to improve consistency and reduce complexity by providing a precise definition 
of fair value and a single source of fair value measurement and disclosure requirements for use across IFRSs. The requirements, which 
are largely aligned between IFRSs and US GAAP, do not extend the use of fair value accounting but provide guidance on how it should be 
applied where its use is already required or permitted by other standards within IFRSs. This will be applicable for periods beginning after 
1 January 2013 subject to EU Endorsement.

There are no other IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Group.

The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of any of the above standards, amendments or interpretations will have a material 
impact on the Group’s financial statements on initial application.

The Group continues to monitor the potential impact of other new standards and interpretations which may be endorsed by the 
European Union and require adoption by the Group in future accounting periods.

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Critical accounting estimates and management judgement
The presentation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires 
management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies.

The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year are addressed below.

(a) Revenue recognition
The Group uses the percentage-of-completion method in accounting for its consultancy and space projects. Use of the percentage-of 
completion method requires the Group to estimate the services performed to date as a proportion of the total services to be performed.

(b) Impairment of satellites
The carrying amount of the satellites are dependent on the Group’s ability to sell sufficient capacity in the satellites over their useful 
economic lives. In management’s view, at this early stage in the life of the HYLAS 1 and 2 satellites, the sale of capacity is progressing well 
and in line with plans. The Group will assess impairment annually. 

(c) European Space Agency (“ESA”) Funding and Sale of Capacity 
In April 2006, the Group entered into a contract with ESA to receive funding for the build of the HYLAS 1 satellite and also giving ESA 
the right to use up to 10% of capacity on HYLAS 1 for a period of 3 years if the capacity is available. An assessment of the fair value of 
the revenues for the sale of capacity has been performed in order to account for this as a multiple element arrangement . The fair value 
of the capacity sales will be recognised as revenue on a straight line basis over a 3 year period. This 3 year period commenced when 
HYLAS 1 became operational in April 2011. Management has made their best estimate of the fair value of the revenue element of the 
transaction based on market prices of the capacity at the inception of the arrangement. The residual fair value represents the value of 
the capital grant and this is released to cost of sales over a period of 15 years to match the useful economic life of the satellite. If the fair 
value of the capacity sale was altered by 10% the impact on the revenue figure would be £450,000.

(d) Impairment of Goodwill arising as part of business combinations
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of the cash generating units 
(“CGUs”), or groups of CGUs, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Each unit or group of units to which the 
goodwill is allocated represents the lowest level within the entity at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. 
Goodwill impairment reviews will be undertaken annually. The carrying value of goodwill is compared to the recoverable amount, which 
is the higher of value in use and the fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment would be recognised immediately as an expense and 
would not subsequently be reversed.

Going concern
Based on cash flow forecasts and available cash resources and facilities the Directors have determined that it is appropriate to 
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis which assumes that the Group will continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future.

Basis of consolidation
Where the Company has the power, either directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of another entity or 
business so as to obtain benefits from its activities, it is classified as a subsidiary. The financial statements present the results of the 
Company and its subsidiaries, including Filiago GmbH & Co. and the Employee Benefit Trust (“the Group”) as if they formed a single 
entity. Intercompany transactions, balances, income and expenses are therefore eliminated in full. The results of subsidiaries acquired 
during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the date of acquisition.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
44

Notes to the accounts continued

1 Accounting Policies continued
Basis of consolidation continued 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. The Group applies the acquisition method 
to account for business combinations. The cost of control for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, 
the settlement of pre-existing relationships, the liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued 
by the Group. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured 
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition- 
by-acquisition basis, either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognised amounts of acquiree’s 
identifiable net assets.

Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the aggregate of the cost of control and the fair value of non-controlling interest over 
the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If this cost of control is lower than the fair value of the net assets of the 
subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised in the income statement.

The financial statements of legal subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the parent Company using consistent 
accounting policies.

Revenue recognition
The Group currently earns revenue primarily from the sale of satellite broadband services to customers and from providing consultancy 
advice connected with the exploitation of the space assets. In the current year, revenue from the sale of satellite broadband services on 
HYLAS 1 is the key revenue stream of the business with space consultancy contracts being a smaller proportion of the total revenues. In 
future years, revenue from the sale of satellite broadband services will be from the HYLAS fleet.

Broadband satellite communications services revenues are recorded in accordance with the contracted amounts or the actual usage of 
the customer.

Revenues also include sales of terminals recognised when the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer.

Revenue from space consultancy and other consultancy contracts connected with the exploitation of the space assets are recognised 
by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the reporting date. The contracts are broken down into separable 
elements which are all judged individually on a percentage of completion basis in order to ascertain the completeness of an overall 
project. By its nature these projects require a certain element of judgement by management. Contract costs are recognised as an 
expense in the period they are incurred.

Accrued income represents the excess of revenue recognised over amounts invoiced. Deferred income represents any unearned 
balances remaining from amounts received from customers pursuant to prepaid contracts.

Other grant income which has capital expenditure and job creation/safeguarding targets is recognised on a straight line basis over the 
relevant period irrespective of cash and claims, and is disclosed as other operating income.

Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised as an expense when there is objective evidence that trade 
receivables are impaired. Accounts receivable balances are specifically reviewed to assess a customer’s ability to make payments.

Leased assets
The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and requires 
an assessment of whether the fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets and whether the 
arrangement conveys the right to use the asset. 

Leases of property, plant and equipment where the Group holds substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as 
finance leases. Assets acquired under hire purchase or a finance lease are capitalised in the statement of financial position. Those held 
under hire purchase and finance lease contracts are depreciated over the shorter of either their estimated useful lives or the term of the 
lease. The interest element of these obligations is charged to the income statement over the relevant period. The capital element of the 
future payments is treated as a liability.

Leases where a significant portion of the risks and rewards are held by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Rentals are charged to 
the income statement on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
45

Interest income and expense
Borrowing costs incurred for the construction of the satellite assets are capitalised during the period of time required to complete 
and prepare the assets for their intended use, in accordance with IAS 23 ‘Borrowing Costs’. Other borrowing costs are expensed in the 
Income Statement.

Interest income on cash deposits is recognised on an effective interest rate methodology, taking into account the principal amounts 
outstanding and the interest rates applicable.

 Foreign currency
Transactions entered into by the Group entities in a currency other than the currency of the primary economic environment in which it 
operates (the “functional currency”) are recorded at the rates ruling when the transactions occur. Foreign currency monetary assets and 
liabilities are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of unsettled monetary 
assets and liabilities are recognised immediately in the income statement.

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The presentational currency of the Group is sterling.

On consolidation, assets and liabilities of foreign undertakings are translated into Sterling at year end exchange rates. The results of 
foreign undertakings are translated into Sterling at average rates of exchange for the year (unless this average is not a reasonable 
approximation of the cumulative effects of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are 
translated at the dates of the transactions). Foreign exchange differences arising on retranslation are recognised directly in a separate 
component of equity, the foreign currency translation reserve. 

In the event of the disposal of an undertaking with assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency, the cumulative translation 
difference associated with the undertaking in the translation reserve is charged or credited to the gain or loss on disposal recognised in 
the income statement.

Pension schemes
Employees have the option to establish their own pension scheme to which the Group will match employee contributions up to a 
maximum amount. There is no on-going liability to the Group beyond the period that the contributions are made. The cost of such 
contributions are charged to the income statement when incurred.

Share based payments
The Group operates a number of equity settled share based payment arrangements, under which the Group receives services from 
employees as consideration for equity instruments (share options and shares) of the Group. Equity settled share based payments are 
measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non market-based vesting conditions) at the date of grant, but including any market-based 
performance criteria and the impact of non investing conditions. The fair value determined at the grant date is recognised on a straight-
line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the options or shares that will eventually vest and adjusted for the 
effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

Fair value is measured using either the Binomial options pricing model, the Black Scholes model or Monte Carlo simulations, 
whichever is most appropriate to the award.

Service and performance conditions are vesting conditions. Any other conditions are non-vesting conditions which have to be taken into 
account to determine the fair value of equity instruments granted. In the case that an award or option does not vest as a result of a failure to 
meet a non-vesting condition that is within the control of either counterparty, this is accounted for as a cancellation. Cancellations must be 
treated as accelerated vesting and all remaining future charges are immediately recognised. As the requirement to save under an employee 
share save arrangement is a non-vesting condition, employee cancellations must be treated as an accelerated vesting.

Current tax
The charge for taxation is based on taxable profits for the year. Taxable profits differ from profit as reported in the income statement 
because it excludes items of income and expenses that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are 
never taxable or deductible.

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the extent 
that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case the tax is also recognised in other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities based on 
tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the reporting date.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
46

Notes to the accounts continued

1 Accounting Policies continued
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the 
corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are generally recognised for 
all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible 
temporary difference can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable 
that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or 
the asset realised, based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. The measurement of the 
deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the 
reporting date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and 
the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable Group company; or 
different Group entities which intend either to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the 
liability simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled 
or recovered.

Property plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is 
provided so as to write off the cost of assets, other than assets under construction, over their estimated useful lives using the straight-
line method.

Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for 
its intended use.

Motor vehicles 
Network assets 
Fixtures and fittings 
Satellite in operation  

25% per annum 
20–25% per annum 
25% per annum 
6.67% per annum 

Plant and machinery 
Leasehold improvements 
Satellite in construction 

25% per annum
25% per annum
Nil

The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at each year end, with the effect of any changes in 
estimate accounted for on a prospective basis. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of assets is charged to the income statement 
account and is calculated as the difference between the disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, 
the term of the relevant lease.

Satellite in construction relate to costs (including employee related costs) directly attributable to the construction of the HYLAS satellites. 
Once the satellites become operational and placed into service, the assets are transferred to a space asset category and depreciated 
over the life of the satellites. 

Where the conditions are not met the costs are expensed through the income statement.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is provided so 
as to write off the cost of assets, other than assets under construction, over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. 
The amortisation rate on computer software is 25%. Newly acquired intangible assets as part of the business combination, customer lists 
and trade name, are amortised over 15 and 5 years respectively.

Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its 
intended use.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

47

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The estimated useful lives, residual values and amortisation method are reviewed at each year end, with the effect of any changes in 
estimate accounted for on a prospective basis. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of assets is charged to the income statement and is 
calculated as the difference between the disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets.

Research and development costs in relation to the satellites are capitalised if they meet the conditions set out in IAS 38 ‘Intangible 
Assets’ which are that development costs are only capitalised once a business case has been demonstrated as to the technical feasibility 
and commercial viability. Capitalised development costs are amortised over the expected useful life of the assets.

Impairment of non-financial assets
Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example, goodwill or intangible assets not ready for use, are not subject to amortisation and 
will be tested annually for impairment.

Assets that are subject to amortisation and depreciation are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. The impairment review comprises a comparison of the carrying amount of the 
fixed asset with its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

Fair value less costs to sell is calculated by reference to the amount at which the asset could be disposed of. Value in use is calculated by 
discounting the expected future cash flows obtainable as a result of the asset’s continued use, including those resulting from its ultimate 
disposal, at a market-based discount rate on a pre-tax basis.

An impairment loss is recognised in the Income Statement whenever the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

The carrying amount will only be increased where an impairment loss recognised in a previous period for an asset either no longer exists 
or has decreased, up to the amount that it would have been had the original impairment not occurred.

For the purpose of conducting impairment reviews, CGUs are identified as groups of assets and liabilities that generate cash flows that 
are largely independent of other cash flow streams. The assets and liabilities include those directly involved in generating the cash flows 
and an appropriate proportion of corporate assets. For the purposes of impairment, individual satellites are treated as individual CGUs.

Investments
Investments are recorded at cost. Investments are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be fully recoverable.

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost and reviewed for impairment on an annual basis.

European Space Agency (ESA) funding
As noted in the critical estimates and judgements, an element of income from ESA represents revenue for the sale of capacity on the 
satellite. The fair value of the capacity sold to ESA is being recognised as revenue over 3 years on a straight line basis.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises all costs of purchase, cost of conversion and other 
costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Cost is determined by the first-in first-out method.

Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less any further costs expected to be incurred to completion and disposal.

Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of directly attributable issue costs.

Trade receivables and other financial assets
Trade and loan receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest rate method where the time value of money is material. Appropriate allowances for estimating irrecoverable amounts 
are recognised in the Income Statement where there is evidence that the asset is impaired. This impairment would be recognised within 
operating expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position are comprised of cash on hand and demand deposits, and other short term 
highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. 
For the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are stated net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
48

Notes to the accounts continued

1 Accounting Policies continued
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefits arising from past events 
and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. Provisions are not recognised unless the outflow of economic benefits to 
settle the obligation is more likely than not to occur.

Borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are 
subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds and the redemption value is recognised in the income 
statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 
12 months after the reporting date.

Trade payables
Trade payables are initially measured at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Business combinations
Business combinations are recognised in the consolidated financial statements from the time of acquisition . The comparative figures are 
not restated for acquisitions.

Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method and the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired are measured at their fair 
values at the date of acquisition. 

Any excess of the cost of control over the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities is recognised as Goodwill, with intangible assets. 
Intangible assets are amortised over their useful life and any Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

Derivative financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s statement of financial positions when the Group becomes a party 
to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

The Group uses derivative financial instruments mainly to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risks. The Group does not hold or issue 
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Derivatives are recognised at fair value on the date a contract is entered into and 
are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Fair value is measured using the closing bank rate compared with the contract rate.

Hedge accounting is currently not applied. Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognised in the income 
statement as they arise.

Segment reporting
Operating segment(s) are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker. 
The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segment(s), 
has been indentified as the Avanti Executive Board who make the strategic decisions.

2. Revenue
As stated in note 1, the Group currently earn revenue primarily from the sale of satellite broadband services to customers and
from providing consultancy advice connected with the exploitation of the space assets. On adoption of IFRS 8, ‘Operating
Segments’, the Group concluded that the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the Avanti Executive Board) manage the business and
the allocation of resources on the basis of the provision of satellite services, resulting in one segment.

Revenue of £12,461,000 (2011: £5,462,000) represents invoiced sales of satellite broadband services provided to external customers, 
revenue on space and consultancy contracts recognised on a percentage of completion basis and the sale of terminals. Of this, 
£1,780,000 (2011: £576,000) relates to the sale of terminals. As referred to in the critical estimates and judgements, revenues from ESA 
representing the sale of capacity on HYLAS 1 comprise 36.1% (2011: 20.6%) of total revenue.

The Group derived £4,471,000 (2011: £1,081,000) of its turnover from European countries outside the United Kingdom, and
£7,990,000 (2011: £4,381,000) from the United Kingdom.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

3. Operating expenses
Operating expenses by function are as follows:

Distribution

Administration

Loss from operations for the year is stated after charging the following:

Operating expenses:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Research and development costs written off as incurred
Employee benefit expense
Operating lease expenses:

– Minimum lease payments
– Sublease payments received
– Onerous lease provision utilised

Cost of sales:
Space asset depreciation
Release of ESA grant 
Satellite services
Materials purchased
Sub contractors

4. Auditors’ remuneration

Fees payable to Company’s auditor for the audit of parent Company  
and consolidated financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:

– The audit of Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

– Tax services

– Other services

49

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

1,405

12,593

13,998

990

10,289

11,279

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

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1,389
95
16
7,287

619
(50)
(30)

9,831
(858)
3,176
2,472
–

805
8
19
5,433

588
(50)
(30)

2,311
(185)
3,005
1,634
529

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

 150 

 20 

 31 

 48 

 249 

95

20

541

36

692

For the year ended 30 June 2011, £520,000 of the tax services fees relate to the advice given in respect of the re-domicile of the HYLAS 
2 assets to Cyprus. The remaining balance and comparative for the current year relates to fees for normal ongoing tax advice and 
compliance assistance.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
50

Notes to the accounts continued

5. Employee benefit costs
The aggregate remuneration of all employees comprised:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs

Share based payment expense

Less: costs capitalised as satellite in construction

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

8,448

1,080

172

634

10,334

(3,047)

7,287

6,073

666

168

776

7,683

(2,250)

5,433

Employee numbers
The average monthly number of people (including the Executive Directors) employed during the year by category of employment:

Operations

Sales and marketing

Development and engineering

Administration and executive

6. Other operating income

Exchange gain on trade receivables and payable balances

Other grant income

Arbitration settlement

Interest Income

30 June 2012
No. employees

30 June 2011
No. employees

33

29

39

31

132

23

29

23

22

97

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

84

654

1,821

–

2,559

209

–

–

427

636

The arbitration settlement of £1,821,462 includes interest of £25,299.

The interest received of £427,000 in the year to 30 June 2011 was received from Space Explorations Inc (“SpaceX”) on settlement of their debt.

7. Net finance (expense)/income

Finance income

Fair value gain on derivatives

Interest income on bank deposits

Finance expense

Interest expense on borrowings and loans

Financing exchange loss

Finance lease expense

Less: interest capitalised to satellite in construction

Net finance (expense)/income

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

213

241

454

(4,017)

(514)

(179)

4,008

(702)

(248)

110

318

428

(1,834)

(214)

(23)

1,775

(296)

132

51

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

–

–

–

–

(3,840)

(3,332)

246

649

823

(2,122)

(2,122)

90

–

215

(3,027)

(3,027)

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8. Income tax (credit)/expense

Current tax

Adjustment in respect of prior periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustment in respect of prior periods

Deferred tax asset write off

Impact of change in UK tax rate

Total deferred tax

Total income tax credit

The tax on the Group’s loss before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average tax rate 
applicable to profits of the consolidated entities as follows:

Loss before tax

Tax credit at the corporate tax rate of 25.5% (2011: 27.5%)

Tax effect of non-deductible expenses

Adjustment in respect of prior periods

Deferred tax asset write off

Impact of change in UK tax rate

Income tax credit

30 June 2012
£’000

30 June 2011
£’000

(16,007)

(4,082)

242

246

649

823

(12,727)

(3,500)

168

90

–

215

(2,122)

(3,027)

The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK changed from 26% to 24% with effect from 1 April 2012. Accordingly, the Group's profits 
for this accounting period are taxed at an effective rate of 25.5% (2011: 27.5%)

Further reductions to the UK tax rate have been announced. The changes which are expected to be enacted separately each year, 
propose to reduce the tax rate by 1% per annum to 22% by 1 April 2014. The changes had not been substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date, and therefore, are not recognised in these financial statements.

9. Earnings/(loss) per share

Basic and diluted loss per share

30 June 2012
pence
(14.86)

30 June 2011
pence
(12.14)

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by 
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.

Loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent Company
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic earnings per share

30 June 2012
£’000
(13,400)
90,138,692

30 June 2011
£’000
(9,700)
79,920,631

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
52

Notes to the accounts continued

10. Profit of the parent Company
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the parent Company is not presented as part of these 
accounts. The parent Company’s loss after tax for the year ended 30 June 2012 amounted to £480,000 (2011: £504,000 loss).

11. Property, plant and equipment

Leasehold 
improvements
£’000

Network 
assets
£’000

Fixtures and 
fittings
£’000

Satellite in 
operation 
£’000

Satellite in 
construction
£’000

Motor 
vehicles
£’000

Group 
total
£’000

Cost
Balance at 1 July 2010
Additions 
Transfer
Disposals
Balance at 1 July 2011
Additions 
Additions acquired through 
business combinations
Transfer
Disposals
Balance at 30 June 2012

Accumulated Depreciation
Balance at 1 July 2010
Charge for the year
Disposals
Balance at 1 July 2011
Charge for the year
Disposals
Balance at 30 June 2012

Net book value
Balance at 30 June 2012
Balance at 30 June 2011

254
9
–
–
263
–

–
–
–
263

220
24
–
244
9
–
253

10
19

5,560
985
–
–
6,545
935

547
2,202
–
10,229

2,427
672
–
3,099
1,271
–
4,370

5,859
3,446

607
63
–
–
670
87

–
–
–
757

433
76
–
509
92
–
601

156
161

–
–
148,730
–
148,730
2,745

–
(2,202)
(516)
148,757

–
2,311
–
2,311
9,831
(76)
12,066

166,806
147,233
(148,730)
–
165,309
64,242

–
–
–
229,551

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

139
–
–
(44)
95
–

–
–
(39)
56

55
33
(29)
59
17
(31)
45

173,366
148,290
–
(44)
321,612
68,009

547
–
(555)
389,613

3,135
3,116
(29)
6,222
11,220
(107)
17,335

136,691
146,419

229,551
165,309

11
36

372,278
315,390

At 30 June 2012, the Group held assets under finance lease agreements with a net book value of £1,845,631 (2011: £110,625). A depreciation 
charge for the year of £250,344 (2011: £305,234) has been provided on these assets. These assets are included in network assets.

The satellite in construction assets of £229,551,000 now relate to HYLAS 2 and HYLAS 3/4 design (2011: £165,309,000). Included in the 
satellite costs are capitalised finance costs of £28,728,753 (2011: £15,224,096) related to the HYLAS 2 satellite. The finance costs on 
HYLAS 2 will average 5.5% over the lifetime of the facilities (2011: HYLAS 2 average 5.5%). The HYLAS 2 assets are located in Cyprus.

Satellites in operation have been depreciated from 1 April 2011 when the HYLAS 1 satellite came into commercial service. HYLAS 2 was 
launched on 2 August 2012. All satellite and ground station assets will be depreciated from that date.

On 1 November 2011 the Group obtained control of the trade and assets of Filiago GmbH & Co. (Filiago), located in Germany. As a result 
of this transaction the Group now recognises Filiago's fixed assets with a fair value of £547,000.

The lenders of the HYLAS 2 loan facility (note 22) have a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the Group. 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

53

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12. Intangible assets

Cost
Balance at 1 July 2010
Additions 
Disposals
Balance at 1 July 2011
Additions 
Additions acquired through 
business combinations
Disposals
Balance at 30 June 2012

Accumulated Amortisation
Balance at: 1 July 2010
Charge for the year
Disposals
Balance at: 1 July 2011
Charge for the year
Disposals
Balance at 30 June 2012

Net book value
Balance at 30 June 2012
Balance at 30 June 2011

Computer software
£’000

Brand name
£’000

Customer lists
£’000

Goodwill
£’000

Group total
£’000

395
–
–
395
–

–
–
395

384
8
–
392
3
–
395

–
3

–
–
–
–
–

181
–
181

–
–
–
–
26
–
26

155
–

–
–
–
–
–

1,389
–
1,389

–
–
–
–
66
–
66

–
–
–
–
–

7,530
–
7,530

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,323
–

7,530
–

395
–
–
395
–

9,100
–
9,495

384
8
–
392
95
–
487

9,008
3

The additions of goodwill and intangible assets were generated from the Group obtaining control of Filiago GmbH & Co, located in 
Germany, on 1 November 2011, and resulted in the recognition of £7.5m of goodwill and £1.7m of intangible assets, representing the 
Filiago brand name and customer lists.

As set out in IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, a cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generate cash inflows from 
continuing use that are largely independent of the cash flows from other assets or groups of assets. For the purpose of impairment testing 
of goodwill, goodwill is allocated to a group of cash-generating units (being subsidiaries acquired in each acquisition). Such group of cash-
generating units represent the lowest level within the Group for which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

The recoverable amount of the cash-generating units is determined using value-in-use, which is calculated by using the discounted cash 
flow method. This method considers the cash flows of the subsidiaries (cash-generating units) for the 10 years ending 30 June 2021 with 
subsequent transition to perpetuity. For the years following the detailed planning period, the assumed continual growth of 4% for the 
operation to perpetuity are used which comply with general expectations for the business. The present value of cash flows is calculated by 
discounting the cash flow by pre-tax interest rate of approximately 14.6%.

The brand names acquired in the course of the Filiago business combination of £0.2m are amortised on a straight-line basis over a period 
of five years. At the year end the NBV of the brand names is £155,000, after charging £26,000 of amortisation in the year.

The customer lists acquired in the course of the Filiago business combination of £1.4m are amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of 
fifteen years. At the year end the carrying amount of the customer bases is £1,323,000 after charging £66,000 of amortisation in the year.

The lenders of the HYLAS 2 loan facility (note 22) have a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the Group.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
54

Notes to the accounts continued

13. Business combinations
The financial asset of £9.1m recognised at 30 June 2011 has been reclassified to a business combination in line with relevant 
accounting standards.

On 1 November 2011 the Group took effective control of Filiago GmbH & Co (“Filiago”) by enhancing the security over its loans with 
Filiago. From 1 November 2011 (“the date of control”), Filiago is accounted for as a subsidiary in the consolidated financial statements 
because of the control now held but, because the Group has not purchased any equity shares in the Company, a 100% non-controlling 
interest is recognised on the statement of financial position removing the impact of achieving control from shareholders’ funds. 

Filiago GmbH & Co is a broadband reseller and has multiple distributors in several countries as well as a large direct customer base. 
The fair value of net assets acquired, identifiable intangibles assets and the operating results of Filiago GmbH & Co are included in the 
consolidated financial statements since achieving control. From the date of control to 30 June 2012, Filiago contributed to the Group’s 
results with revenue of £1.1m, and a loss of £0.5m. The loss of £0.5m is removed from shareholders’ funds as a non-controlling interest.

The following table summarises the consideration paid for Filiago GmbH, the fair value of the assets acquired, and liabilities assumed.

Property, plant and equipment

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Net liabilities acquired

Goodwill

Intangibles

Total cost of control

Provisional Fair Value
£’000

547

229

2

(1,541)

(763)

7,530

1,681

8,448

The above goodwill and intangibles have been reduced by amortisation and foreign exchange revaluations totalling £203k at 30 June 2012.

If the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the financial year the Group revenue is estimated to be £12.9m, and a loss of £14.3m.

There are no acquisition costs.

Identified as part of this consideration are intangible assets valued at £1.7m. These intangible assets are made up of the valuation of the 
existing customer lists as well as the trade name.

Goodwill of £7.5m has been recognised, this represents future economic benefits of the arrangement.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

55

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14. Investments
Company
Shares in subsidiary undertakings

Beginning of the year
Equity investments in Avanti HYLAS 2 Limited
Investment in Avanti Communications Germany GMBH
End of year

30 June 2012
£’000
84,728
12,973
24
97,725

30 June 2011
£’000
41,320
43,408
–
84,728

The directors believe that the carrying value of the investments is supported by their underlying net assets.

A full list of the Company’s subsidiaries is disclosed in note 15.

15. Subsidiaries
As at the end of the year the Group and Company held the following investments in subsidiary companies:

Name of subsidiary 
Avanti Communications Limited 
Avanti Space Limited 
Avanti Space 2 Limited
Avanti Space 3 Limited
Avanti Launch Services Limited
Avanti Broadband Limited
Avanti Broadband (Ire) Limited
Avanti (NI) Limited
Avanti HYLAS 2 Limited
Avanti HYLAS 2 Launch Services Limited
Avanti Communications Infrastructure Limited
Avanti Caledonian Broadband Limited 
Avanti Employee Benefit Trust 
Avanti HYLAS 2 Cyprus Limited
Avanti HYLAS Services Limited
Avanti Communications Marketing Services Limited
Avanti Communications Germany GmBH
Avanti Communications Sweden AB

Nature of business
Telecommunication consultancy
Satellite services
Satellite services
Satellite services
Management services
Satellite broadband business
Satellite broadband business
Satellite broadband business
Satellite services
Management services
Holding company
Scottish satellite business
Employee benefit trust
Satellite broadband business
Project management services
Sales and marketing
Satellite services
Satellite services

The Company holds 100% ownership interest and voting power in all the above entities. 

Place of incorporation
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
Isle of Man
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
Isle of Man
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
Cyprus
Cyprus
England & Wales
Germany
Sweden

On 1 November 2011 the Group took effective control of Filiago GmbH & Co (“Filiago”) by enhancing the security over its loans with Filiago. 
From 1 November 2011 (“the date of control”) Filiago is accounted for as a subsidiary in the consolidated financial statements because 
of the control now held but, because the Group has not purchased any equity shares in the Company, a 100% non-controlling interest is 
recognised on the statement of financial position removing the impact of achieving control from shareholders’ funds (note 13).

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
 
56

Notes to the accounts continued

16. Inventories

Group
Finished goods

30 June 2012 
at cost 
£’000
 881 

30 June 2011 
at cost 
£’000
 1,284 

Finished goods represent customer premises equipment which includes dishes, modems and outdoor unit transceivers.

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense during the period was £2,472,000 (2011: £1,634,000).

There have been no write-downs of inventory during the year.

17. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Less provision for impairment of trade receivables

Net trade receivables

Accrued income

Prepayments

Amounts due from Group companies

Other receivables

For discussion of credit risk, refer to Note 23(b).

Group

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

1,441

(268)

1,173

5,967

3,456

–

2,879

13,475

1,170

(53)

1,117

3,133

2,640

–

1,026

7,916

139

–

139

–

644

165,163

–

165,946

Company

30 June 2011 
£’000

–

–

–

–

3

105,187

–

105,190

18. Deferred taxation
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current 
tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority. The offset amounts are as follows:

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

The gross movement on the deferred income tax 
account is as follows:

Balance at 1 July 2011

Income tax recognised in the income statement

Tax credited directly to equity

Balance at 30 June 2012

Group

Company

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

13,029

(7,438)

5,591

3,386

2,122

83

5,591

14,658

(11,272)

3,386

268

3,027

91

3,386

282

–

282

191

100

(9)

282

191

–

191

62

133

(4)

191

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

57

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Group
30 June 2012
Tax assets
Provisions and deferred income
Share based payment
Unused tax losses
Total tax assets

Tax liabilities
Derivative financial asset
Property, plant and equipment
Total tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)

Group
30 June 2011
Tax assets
Provisions and deferred income
Share based payment
Unused tax losses
Total tax assets

Tax liabilities
Derivative financial asset
Property, plant and equipment
Total tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)

Opening 
balance 
£’000

Charged to 
the income 
statement 
£’000

Charged 
to equity 
£’000

Closing 
balance 
£’000

6,603
505
7,550
14,658

–
(11,272)
(11,272)
3,386

(1,738)
56
(30)
(1,712)

–
3,834
3,834
2,122

–
91
(8)
83

–
–
–
83

Opening 
balance 
£’000

Charged to 
the income 
statement 
£’000

Charged 
to equity 
£’000

1,806
302
4,049
6,157

–
(5,889)
(5,889)
268

4,797
112
3,501
8,410

–
(5,383)
(5,383)
3,027

–
91
–
91

–
–
–
91

4,865
652
7,512
13,029

–
(7,438)
(7,438)
5,591

Closing 
balance 
£’000

6,603
505
7,550
14,658

–
(11,272)
(11,272)
3,386

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
58

Notes to the accounts continued

18. Deferred taxation continued

Company
30 June 2012
Tax assets
Share based payment
Unused tax losses
Total tax assets

Company
30 June 2011
Tax assets
Share based payment
Unused tax losses
Total tax assets

Opening 
balance 
£’000

Charged to 
the income 
statement 
£’000

Charged 
to equity 
£’000

Closing 
balance 
£’000

67
124
191

6
94
100

(9)
–
(9)

64
218
282

Opening 
balance 
£’000

Charged to 
the income 
statement 
£’000

Charged 
to equity 
£’000

Closing 
balance 
£’000

60
2
62

11
122
133

(4)
–
(4)

67
124
191

At 30 June 2012, none of the deferred tax asset of £13.0m (2011: £14.7m) is expected to be recovered in the next 12 months.

At 30 June 2012, none of the deferred tax liability of £7.4m (2011: £11.3m) is expected to be settled in the next 12 months.

Deferred tax assets have been recognised despite recurring losses as the Group has strong expectations of future profits from 
communication services provided by the HYLAS 1 and HYLAS 2 satellites.

19. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and at banks net of outstanding overdrafts.

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year as shown in the cash flow statement can be reconciled to the related items in 
the balance sheet as follows:

Group

Cash and bank balances

Short-term deposits

Net cash and cash equivalents

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

39,699

37,001

76,700

38,125

704

38,829

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

59

20. Trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables

Social security and other taxes

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Non-current

Accruals and deferred income

Included in deferred income is the ESA grant.  
The activity for the year is as follows:

Current portion

Non-current portion

21. Provisions for other liabilities

Group

Onerous lease provision

Balance at 1 July 2011

Released during the year

Balance at 30 June 2012

Group

Company

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

–

–

23

8

31

–

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–

–

–

3

3

–

6,686

271

1,267

9,933

18,157

17,961

218

2,524

9,692

30,395

15,347

18,997

5,358

15,347

20,705

5,300

18,876

24,176

Current 
£’000

Non-current 
£’000

30

(27)

3

3

(3)

–

Total 
£’000

33

(30)

3

The Group leases premises at Hoxton Square and sublets the premises to a third party. The amount that the Group pays for the lease 
is not covered by the rent received in respect of the premises. As a result, an onerous lease provision has been recorded and is being 
released over the life of the committed lease period.

During the year, the Group has released £30,000 to the income statement. The remaining £2,500 will be released in the following 
financial year.

The Company does not have any provisions (2011: £nil). 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
60

Notes to the accounts continued

22. Loans and other borrowings

Secured at amortised cost
Bank loans
Finance lease liabilities (i) (note 26)

Secured at amortised cost
Finance lease liabilities (i) (note 26)

Group 
Current

Group 
Non-current

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

2,645
2,322
4,967

Company 
Current

–
397
397

166,975
3,026
170,001

118,475
203
118,678

Company 
Non-current

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

232
232

–
–

349
349

–
–

(i)  Finance lease obligations are secured by retention of title to the related assets. The borrowings are on fixed interest rate debt with repayment periods not 

exceeding 5 years. 

In December 2009 the Group announced that it had agreed debt financing for Hylas 2 with US Exim bank and COFACE. The total drawdown 
in this agreement is $328.2m at an interest rate of 5.5%. Included in the loan balance of £169.6m is interest of £5.8m. 

This borrowing is repayable over a period of 7 years from December 2012 and the lenders have a charge over the assets of the Company. 
The Company has to meet certain covenant criteria which is reported to the bank every 6 months.

In accordance with IAS 23 – Borrowing Costs, qualifying borrowing costs have been capitalised as part of the cost to HYLAS 2, recognised as 
Satellite in Construction in Note 11.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns 
for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. 

Consistent with covenant requirements in relation to the HYLAS 2 loan facility, the Group monitors capital on the basis of net tangible worth 
of certain subsidiary companies and debt service coverage ratios of the Group and certain subsidiary companies.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

61

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23. Financial instruments and risk management 
Group
The Group is subject to the risks arising from adverse movements in interest rates and foreign currency. The Group uses a variety of 
derivative financial instruments to manage these risks. The managing of these risks, along with the day-to-day managing of treasury 
activities, is performed by the Finance team.

All financial instruments have been measured at amortised cost, except for derivative assets recognised as derivatives used for 
hedging. As such, financial assets being cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables are classified as ‘Loans and 
Receivables’ and financial liabilities being trade and other payables and interest bearing liabilities have been classified as ‘Other 
Financial Liabilities’.

a) Market risk
i) Foreign exchange risk management
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with 
respect to the US dollar and the Euro. In order to hedge the foreign currency risk the Group enters into forward contracts or natural 
hedges. These risks are assessed on a continual basis.

The derivative asset is in respect of three forward contracts and one FX swap hedging future Euro receivables and liabilities.

The procurement of our second satellite HYLAS 2 has transactions mainly executed in US dollars. This is hedged naturally against the 
corresponding financing loan denominated in US dollars. These items are held in a US dollar denominated company and both are 
translated into the Group accounts at the year end exchange rate.

At 30 June 2012, if the Euro had weakened/strengthened against the sterling by 5% with all other variables held constant, post tax 
loss would have improved by £108,390 or worsened by £119,799 (2011: post tax profit would have improved by £68,954 or worsened 
by £76,212).

At 30 June 2012, if the US dollar had weakened/strengthened against the sterling by 5% with all other variables held constant, post tax 
loss would have improved by £62,744 or worsened by £69,348 (2011: post tax profit would have improved by £367,971 or worsened 
by £406,704). The US dollar cash reserves and US dollar loan are held in a US dollar denominated company and are revalued through 
reserves upon consolidation.

The average volatility of rates during the year compared to the year end exchange rate was 3.92% and therefore Management 
believes that a 5% sensitivity rate provides a reasonable basis upon which to assess expected changes in foreign exchange rates.

ii) Interest Risk Management
The Group borrows in pounds sterling and US dollars at fixed rates of interest and does not seek to mitigate the effect of adverse 
movements in interest rates. Cash and deposits earn interest at fixed rates based on banks’ short term treasury deposit rates. Short-term 
trade and other receivables are interest free.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
62

Notes to the accounts continued

23. Financial instruments and risk management  continued
b) Credit risk management
The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and short term deposits and trade and other receivables. The Group has no significant 
concentrations of credit risk with the exception of the other financial assets. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with high-credit 
quality financial institutions with a minimum rating of A+ and trade receivables are principally from well established corporations. The 
credit quality of major customers is assessed before trading commences taking into account its financial position, past experience and 
other factors.

Trade Receivables

Other Financial Assets

Total

Trade Receivables

Other Financial Assets

Total

The ageing of trade receivables and other financial assets which have not been impaired was as follows:

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

Not past due 
£’000

1–30 days 
£’000

31–60 days 
£’000

701

9,868

162

330

183

39

60+ days 
£’000

127

15

Movements in the provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

2012

1,173 

–

1,173

2011

1,117 

 9,135 

10,252 

Total 
£’000

1,173

10,252

At 1 July 2011

Allowances made in the period

Amounts used and reversal of unused amounts

At 30 June 2012

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

53

317

(102)

268

3

53

(3)

53

The provision of £268,000 (2011: £53,000) has been raised against gross trade receivables of £1,441,000 (2011: £1,170,000). Every major 
customer is assessed on an individual basis and we provide for bad debts when an impairment has been identified. Generally when the 
balance becomes more than 60 days past its due date it is considered that the amount will not be fully recoverable.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

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c) Liquidity risk management
The Group’s exposure to liquidity risk management is minimised due to the prudent monitoring of all of the Group’s liabilities. Cash and cash 
forecasts are monitored on a daily basis and our cash requirements are met by a mixture of short term cash deposits, debt and finance leases.

The following table analyses the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the expected undiscounted 
cash flows.

30 June 2012

Bank loans

Finance leases

Trade Payables

30 June 2011

Bank loans

Finance leases

Trade Payables

Within  
1 year 
£’000

1 to 2
 years 
£’000

2 to 5
 years 
£’000

Over  
5 years 
£’000

Contractual 
amount 
£’000

Carrying
 amount 
£’000

10,274

2,476

6,686

1,051

602

17,961

19,821

2,305

–

99,828

75,607

205,530

169,620

805

–

–

–

5,586

6,686

5,348

6,686

7,611

58,683

85,908

153,253

118,475

–

–

–

–

–

–

602

17,961

600

17,961

The table below summarises the derivatives as at 30 June 2012 and 2011 and into relevant maturity groupings:

30 June 2012
Foreign currency forward contracts

30 June 2011
Foreign currency forward contracts

All derivatives are held in the Company.

Notional 
Principal 
£’000

Within 
1 year 
£’000

2,447

2,447

1,750

1,750

1 to 2 
years
£’000

Derivative 
fair value
Asset
£’000

Derivative 
fair value
Liability
£’000

–

–

129

–

–

83

In addition, the Company has intercompany balances carried at £146,331,000 (2011: £105,187,000). The contractual amount is equal to 
the carrying amount.

d) Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide 
returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. 
The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in (Note 22), cash and cash equivalents 
(Note 19) and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising ordinary share capital, share premium, other reserves and 
retained earnings.

We endeavour to maximise earnings and minimise risk through an appropriate balance of debt and equity.

As well as the debt outlined in Note 22, the Group has a total debt facility of $328.2m (2011: $328.2m) in relation to Hylas 2 expenditure 
and is fully funded in this respect.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
64

Notes to the accounts continued

23. Financial instruments and risk management  continued
e) Financial instruments by category
Group

Assets as per balance sheet

30 June 2012

Derivative financial instruments

Other financial assets

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)

Cash and cash equivalents

30 June 2011

Derivative financial instruments

Other financial assets

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)

Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities as per balance sheet

30 June 2012

Derivative financial instruments

Borrowings (excluding finance lease liabilties)

Finance lease liabilities

Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial liabilities)

30 June 2011

Derivative financial instruments

Borrowings (excluding finance lease liabilties)

Finance lease liabilities

Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial liabilities)

Assets at 
fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss
£’000

Loans and 
receivables
£’000

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£’000

Available 
for sale
£’000

–

–

10,019

76,700

86,719

–

9,135

5,276

38,829

53,240

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

129

–

–

–

129

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Liabilities 
at fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss
£’000

Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
£’000

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£’000

Total
£’000

129

–

10,019

76,700

86,848

–

9,135

5,276

38,829

53,240

Total
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

83

–

–

–

–

–

169,620

169,620

5,348

33,233

5,348

33,233

208,201

208,201

–

83

118,475

118,475

600

31

600

31

83

119,106

119,189

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

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Company

Assets as per balance sheet

30 June 2012

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)

30 June 2011

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)

Liabilities as per balance sheet

30 June 2012

Derivative financial instruments

Finance lease liabilities

Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial liabilities)

30 June 2011

Derivative financial instruments

Finance lease liabilities

Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial liabilities)

Assets at 
fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss
£’000

Loans and 
receivables
£’000

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£’000

Available 
for sale
£’000

–

165,302

165,302

–

105,187

105,187

–

–

–

–

–

–

129

–

129

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Liabilities 
at fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss
£’000

Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
£’000

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

83

–

–

83

–

581

31

612

–

–

3

3

Total
£’000

129

165,302

165,431

–

105,187

105,187

Total
£’000

–

581

31

612

83

–

3

86

f) Fair value of financial instruments
The following table analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels are defined as follows:

•  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).

• 

Inputs other than quotes prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) 
or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (Level 2).

• 

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
66

Notes to the accounts continued

23. Financial instruments and risk management  continued
The following tables presents the Group's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011.

Assets

30 June 2012

Derivatives used for hedging

30 June 2011

Derivatives used for hedging

Liabilities

30 June 2012

Derivatives used for hedging

30 June 2011

Derivatives used for hedging

Level 1
£’000

Level 2
£’000

Level 3
£’000

Total
£’000

–

–

–

–

129

129

–

–

–

–

–

–

129

129

–

–

Level 1
£’000

Level 2
£’000

Level 3
£’000

Total
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

83

83

–

–

–

–

–

–

83

83

The directors consider the carrying value of all other financial assets and liabilities to be approximate to their fair values.

Financial instruments and risk management – Company
The Company does not have a material exposure to interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk.

Overall market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk are managed on a Group wide basis. Derivatives are measured at fair value and
intercompany balances and accruals are measured at amortised cost. All intercompany balances are repayable on demand and accruals
and derivatives mature in less than 1 year.

There is no provision for impairment against any of the Company's financial assets.

24. Share capital – issued and fully paid

Number 
of shares 
‘000

68,672

16,279

–

84,951

84,951

26,785

–

111,736

Group and 
Company 
ordinary shares 
£’000

Group and 
Company share 
premium 
£’000

686

163

–

849

849

268

–

1,117

120,496

69,837

(1,655)

188,678

188,678

74,732

(1,091)

262,319

At 1 July 2010

Shares issued

Less transaction costs

At 30 June 2011

At 1 July 2011

Shares issued

Less transaction costs

At 30 June 2012

On 23 February 2012, the Group issued 26,785,714 shares at £2.80 per share.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

67

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25. Share based payments
The fair value of share options charged to the consolidated income statement in the period was £631,000 (2011: £776,000), and to the 
Company income statement was £27,000 (2011: £54,000). The full fair value of these options is recognised over the vesting period for 
those options. All share based payment plans are equity settled and details of these plans are set out below.

The Group has established 14 share option schemes:

– Enterprise Management Incentives scheme (EMI)
– Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
– Unapproved share option plan (2007)
– Unapproved share option plan (March 2010)
– Unapproved share option plan (July 2010)
– Unapproved share option plan (October 2010)
– Unapproved share option plan (April 2011)
– Save As You Earn scheme (SAYE) (July 2010)
– Unapproved share option plan (July 2011)
– Unapproved share option plan (October 2011)
– Unapproved share option plan (October 2011) – key management personnel
– Save As You Earn scheme (SAYE) (November 2011) 
– Unapproved share option plan (March 2012)
– Unapproved share option plan (April 2012)

The 2012 charges and weighted average fair value for each of the plans above were as follows:

2012 charge

Weighted average fair value

2011 charge

Weighted average fair value

EMI

LTIP schemes

Unapproved 
schemes

SAYE schemes

£54,465

£2.04

£96,279

£2.04

£247,845

£3.11

£440,203

£3.11

£305,839

£1.76

£226,113

£1.76

£22,374

£0.79

£13,704

£0.79

To date all options (with exception of the SAYE scheme) have been granted with a strike price of 1 pence. The strike price on the SAYE 
scheme 2010 is £4.70, and on the SAYE scheme 2011 is £3.09.

In July 2007 an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) was established. The EBT is managed by Bedell Trustees in Jersey. The results of the EBT 
have been consolidated into the Group’s results.

The options granted under each scheme are as follows:

2012

EMI

Outstanding at 
start of year

Granted
during year

Forfeited 
in year

Exercised during 
the year

Outstanding at 
end of year

Number of options

Weighted average exercise price

Unapproved schemes

Number of options

Weighted average exercise price

SAYE schemes

Number of options

Weighted average exercise price

184,815

£0.01

594,421

£0.01

58,954

£4.70

–

–

–

–

(2,644)

£0.01

–

–

81,594

£3.90

(5,305)

£3.90

(25,970)

£0.01

(30,716)

£0.01

–

–

156,201

£0.01

563,705

£0.01

135,243

£3.90

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
68

Notes to the accounts continued

25. Share based payments continued
2011

EMI

Number of options

Weighted average exercise price

Unapproved schemes

Number of options

Weighted average exercise price

SAYE scheme (est. July 2010)

Number of options

Weighted average exercise price

Outstanding at 
start of year

Granted 
during year

Forfeited 
in year

Exercised during 
the year

Outstanding at 
end of year

249,303

£0.01

397,353

£0.01

–

–

–

–

269,000

£0.01

66,437

£4.70

(6,000)

£0.01

(33,000)

£0.01

(7,483)

£4.70

(58,488)

£0.01

(38,932)

£0.01

–

–

184,815

£0.01

594,421

£0.01

58,954

£4.70

The weighted average share price for the year ended 30 June 2012 was £2.98 (2011: £5.40).

80,040 (2011: 27,046) of the EMI options, 19,465 (2011: 30,715) of the unapproved 2007 scheme, 33,333 (2011: 16,667) of the 
unapproved July 2010 scheme, and 1,702,107 (2011: 1,629,898) of the LTIP options had vested and were exercisable from 30 June 2012.

The exercise price of options outstanding at 30 June 2012 was £0.01 and the weighted average remaining contractual life was 4.1 years.

Each model has slightly different exercise criteria and therefore separate valuation models were used.

EMI Scheme
The EMI scheme was used to issue options to staff on 24 July 2007 at an exercise price of 1p. The new options are issued for 10 years 
with 25% vesting at the end of years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Those staff who had previously held unvested options in the former parent Company at 
the time of the de-merger were given a shorter vesting period for these new options. There are no performance criteria associated with 
these options and they are exercisable as long as the option holder remains an employee of the Company.

The weighted average inputs to the Black-Scholes model are as follows: 

Share price at date of Grant 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected Life 
Risk free rate 
Expected dividend yield 

£2.16
£0.01
35%
4 years
5.5%
1%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the actual volatility of the Group’s share price since flotation. The expected life used 
in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and 
behavioural considerations.

Long Term Incentive Plan
The LTIP has been established by the Company with approval from the Remuneration Committee to reward and incentivise the Executive 
Directors and senior managers of the Company.

The LTIP allocations are in separate sub funds within the EBT and are subject to a discretionary Trust. The shares are subject to automatic 
revocation if certain criteria (set out below) are not met and continue to be revocable for the entire Trust period.

Additional grants to further incentivise management were made in the 2011 financial year to two executive directors of 200,000 options 
each into the exceptional achievement tranche. The exercise criteria of the grants is as shown below.

The allocations into the LTIP vary for each executive. The total allocation to each executive is split into three separate tranches:

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

69

i) The Core Tranche
This element of the grant becomes exercisable in 7 equal instalments. The first instalment was exercisable on grant and the second on  
30 June 2008. The remaining five are yearly thereafter.

ii) The Exceptional Achievement Tranche
This element of the grant was amended during 2010. Originally, these options were only exercisable if the average market value of the share 
exceeded £5 for a consecutive period of six months prior to 30 June 2010. Given the unprecedented market conditions over the previous 
year, the remuneration committee considered that whilst the executives had performed well and that the share price had outperformed the 
FTSE 100 and AIM all share index since the LTIPs were granted, the target set in the LTIP rules may still not be achieved. 

In May 2010 the remuneration committee agreed to extend the target date to 31 December 2010 and that the six month average target 
price should be increased £5.50. This benchmark for this tranche of LTIP was satisfied in November 2010.

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iii) The Extraordinary Achievement Tranche
This element of the grant is only exercisable if the Market Value of a Share exceeds £10 for a consecutive period of six months before  
30 June 2013.

Allocations to 1 July 2010

Core Exceptional Extraordinary

Additional 
grant July 
2010

Revised 

allocation Core vested

Exceptional 
vested

Unvested 
balance 
outstanding

Number of options:

Executive Directors

1,192,960

Senior managers

125,000

1,317,960

679,570

62,500

742,070

679,213

62,500

741,713

400,000

2,951,743

(1,022,537)

(679,570)

1,249,636

–

250,000

(53,571)

(62,500)

133,929

400,000

3,201,743

(1,076,108)

(742,070)

1,383,565

The criteria for the exceptional achievement tranche was achieved in November 2010.

The Core Tranche has been modelled using the Black-Scholes model while the Exceptional and Extraordinary Tranches have been 
modelled using the Monte-Carlo model, allowing for the market-based performance conditions.

The weighted average inputs to both models are as follows:

Share price at date of Grant 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected Life 
Risk free rate 
Expected dividend yield 

£1.67
£0.01
34%
5 years
5.1%
1%

The weighted average inputs to the Black-Scholes model in relation to the additional 400,000 options granted in July 2010 are as follows:

Share price at date of Grant 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected Life 
Risk free rate 
Expected dividend yield 

£4.44
£0.01
25%
3 years
1.5%
1%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the actual volatility of the Group’s share price since flotation and also taking into 
account historic volatility of other companies within the same sector who have been listed for longer periods. The expected life used 
in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and 
behavioural considerations.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
70

Notes to the accounts continued

25. Share based payments continued
Unapproved Schemes
At 30 June 2012, there were 10 unapproved schemes in place, established at various dates since 2007.

Under each scheme, the options are issued for 10 years with with 25% or 33% vesting at the end of years 3, 4, 5 and 6. 

The weighted average inputs to the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Unapproved 
2007

Unapproved 
March 
2010*

Unapproved 
July 2010

Unapproved 
October 
2010*

Unapproved 
April 2011*

Unapproved 
July 2011*

Unapproved 
October 
2011*

Unapproved 
October 
2011 (KMP)

Unapproved 
March 
2012*

Unapproved 
April 2012*

Share price 
at date of 
Grant

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

Expected 
volatility

Expected 
life

Risk free 
rate

Expected 
dividend 
yield

£1.86

£4.33

£4.50

£6.20

£4.48

£3.85

£2.64

£2.64

£2.56

£2.60

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

35%

21%

24%

20%

24%

24%

24%

24%

24%

24%

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

5.5%

2.1%

1.8%

1.8%

1.8%

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

*  Under the schemes indicated by an asterisk, the market value of the shares must be £10.00 or more per share for a consecutive period of six months in order for 
the vesting conditions to be met. For all other schemes, there are no performance criteria and the options are exercisable as long as the option holder remains 
with the Company.

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the actual volatility of the Group’s share price since flotation and also taking into 
account historic volatility of other companies within the same sector who have been listed for longer periods. The expected life used 
in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and 
behavioural considerations.

Save as you earn (SAYE) schemes
The save as you earn schemes were established in July 2010 and November 2011 and were open to all employees of the Company at the time.

Save as you earn is an HMRC approved all employee savings-related share option scheme under which employees save up to a limit of 
£250 on a four-weekly basis with an option to buy shares in the Company at the end of a three-year at a discount of up to 20% of the 
market value on the grant date. Options are not subject to performance conditions. All options are exercisable from three years from the 
date of grant. All options expire six months from their exercise date.

The weighted average inputs to the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price at date of Grant

Weighted average exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected Life

Risk free rate

Expected dividend yield

SAYE 
July 2010

SAYE 
November 2011

£4.50

£4.70

21%

3 years

2.1%

1%

£2.95

£3.09

24%

3 years

1.4%

1%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the actual volatility of the Group’s share price since flotation. The expected life used 
in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and 
behavioural considerations.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

71

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26. Obligations under finance leases
Leasing arrangements
Finance leases relate to capital equipment with lease terms of 3–5 years. The Group has the option to purchase the equipment for a 
nominal value at the conclusion of the lease agreement. The Group’s obligations under finance leases are secured by the lessor’s title to 
the leased assets.

Finance lease liabilities

No later than one year
Later than 1 year no later than 5 years

Less future finance charge

No later than one year

Later than 1 year no later than 5 years

Less future finance charge

Included in the financial statements as:

Current borrowings

Non-current borrowings

Present value of minimum lease payments

Group
Minimum lease payments
30 June 2012 
£’000
2,476
3,110
5,586
(238)
5,348

30 June 2011 
£’000
400
202
602
(2)
600

Group 
Present value of lease payments

30 June 2012 
£’000
2,322
3,026
5,348
–
5,348

30 June 2011 
£’000
397
203
600
–
600

Company
Minimum lease payments

Company
Present value of lease payments

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

232

349

581

–

581

–

–

–

–

–

232

349

581

–

581

–

–

–

–

–

Group

Company

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

30 June 2012 
£’000

30 June 2011 
£’000

2,322

3,026

5,348

397

203

600

232

349

581

–

–

–

During the year, the Group entered into a 3 year sale and leaseback agreement with HSBC Equipment Finance (UK) Ltd for network assets 
with a fair value of £4.1m. There was no profit and loss on the transaction as the sale was conducted at the fair value of the assets. 

Also, during the year the Group entered into a 3 year sale and leaseback agreement with Lombard Technology Services Limited for 
network equipment with a fair value of £0.4m. There was no profit and loss on the transaction as the sale was conducted at the fair value 
of the assets.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
72

Notes to the accounts continued

27. Obligations under operating leases
The Group’s future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

No later than one year

Within 1 to 5 years

After 5 years

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

Land & buildings 
£’000

Other 
£’000

Land & buildings 
£’000

265

794

331

1,390

18

13

–

31

345

794

595

1,734

Other 
£’000

18

30

–

48

Operating lease commitments principally relate to leased office space of the Group’s head office located at 74 Rivington Street, London. 
Other operating leases include a fleet of 4 vans.

28. Capital commitments
As at 30 June 2012 the Group has contracted but not provided for capital commitments of £12.0m ($18.8m) (2011: £32.3m ($50.8m)). 
This amount relates to the procurement of Hylas 2, the Group's second satellite.

29. Related party transactions and directors’ emoluments
Transactions with Directors
Details of the Directors’ remuneration are set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in the Companies Act 2006. 

Salaries and other short term employee benefits

Bonus

Payments into defined contribution schemes

Gain on exercise of share options

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

1,435

766

2,201

109

60

2,370

1,172

494

1,666

161

189

2,016

Pension contributions amounting to £108,546 (2011: £161,424) were made into personal pension schemes in respect of four (2011: four) 
of the Directors.

Three non-executive directors exercised share options in the period.

The emoluments of the highest paid Director totalled £749,693 (2011: £586,966), made up of:

Total emoluments

Salaries and other short term benefits

Bonus

Payments into defined contribution schemes (current year)

Total emoluments

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

396

314

39

749

346

145

96

587

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

73

Transactions with Directors and key management personnel – Group and Company
Details of the remuneration of Directors and key management personnel are set out below in aggregate for each of the categories 
specified in IAS 24 “Related Party Disclosures”.

Key management personnel are considered to be the general counsel, the director of investor relations and the managing director of the 
consulting division.

Salaries and other short term employee benefits

Bonus

Payments into defined contribution schemes

Share based payments

Group

Company

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

1,972

1,094

236

389

3,691

1,517

667

221

488

2,893

432

–

–

27

459

364

82

–

52

498

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Other related party transactions
Subsidiaries
Intra-group transactions are eliminated on consolidation and are not reported in the Group accounts. The Company charged the 
following management fees to its subsidiaries:

Avanti Communications Limited

Avanti Broadband Limited

Avanti Space Limited

Avanti (NI) Limited

Avanti Caledonian Broadband Limited

Avanti HYLAS 2 Limited

The parent Company had the following intercompany balances outstanding at the year end:

Avanti Communications Limited

Avanti Space Limited

Avanti Space 2 Limited and Avanti Space 3 Limited

Avanti Broadband Limited

Avanti HYLAS 2 Limited

Avanti Communications Infrastructure Limited

Intercompany balances are unsecured and repayable on demand.

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

635

2,258

325

131

271

767

4,387

755

1,829

459

969

1,634

213

5,859

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

98,894

2,781

–

5,402

602

57,484

165,163

 42,244 

 2,456 

–

 3,144 

(141)

 57,484 

 105,187 

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
74

Notes to the accounts continued

30. Cash generated from operations

Loss before taxation

Derivative valuation

Interest receivable

Foreign exchange losses in operating activities

Depreciation and amortisation of non-current assets

Provision for doubtful debts

Onerous lease provision

Share based payment expense

(Gain)/Loss on disposal of fixed assets

Movement in working capital

Decrease in stock

(Increase)/decrease in debtors

(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables

Spacex settlement

Cash generated from operations

Group
30 June 12
£’000

(16,007)

(213)

(207)

563

10,457

230

(30)

631

(2)

–

404

(5,802)

(2,338)

–

(12,314)

Company
30 June 12
£’000

(580)

(213)

–

–

–

–

–

27

–

–

–

(59,990)

(157)

–

(60,913)

Group
30 June 11
£’000

(12,727)

(109)

–

515

2,936

50

(30)

773

11

–

81

3,059

(300)

4,716

(1,025)

Company
30 June 11
£’000

(638)

–

–

(107)

–

–

–

54

–

–

–

(24,603)

358

–

(24,936)

31. Post balance sheet events
On 2 August 2012 the Group successfully launched HYLAS 2 from French Guyana on Ariane Flight VA2508. On 10 September 2012 Avanti 
announced the successful completion of in-orbit testing of HYLAS 2.

During July 2012 the Company signed procurement contracts with ESA and MDA for the payload and the embarkation fees related to HYLAS 3.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

75

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the 
Company will be held on 15 November 2012 at 9.00 am at  
74 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY, for the following purposes:

Ordinary business
To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions, 
which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:

1.  Report and Accounts

 To receive the audited annual accounts for the year ended 
30 June 2012, together with the reports of the Directors and 
Auditors therein.

2.  Re-election of directors

2.1  To re-elect David Bestwick as a director, who retires  
by rotation in accordance with the Company’s articles  
of association.

2.2  To re-elect Matthew O’Connor as a director, who  
retires by rotation in accordance with the Company’s  
articles of association.

2.3  To re-elect Richard Vos as a director, who retires  
by rotation in accordance with the Company’s articles  
of association.

3.  Election of director.

 To elect Paul Walsh as a director of the Company, who, having 
been appointed since the last Annual General Meeting, offers  
himself for election in accordance with the Company’s articles 
of association.

4.  Re-appointment of auditors

To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors to  
the Company.

5.  Auditor’s remuneration

To authorise the directors to determine the remuneration  
of the auditors.

Special business
To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions,  
of which resolution 6 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution,  
and resolution 7 will be proposed as a special resolution:

6  Directors’ authority to allot shares 

 That the Directors are generally and unconditionally authorised 
pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) 
(in substitution for all or such existing authorities which are 
hereby revoked) to allot shares in the Company, and grant 
rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares 
of the Company (such shares, and rights to subscribe for or to 
convert any security into shares of the Company being “relevant 
securities”) at such times and to such persons, on such terms 
and in such manner as they think fit, up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £372,456, such authority to expire on 15 May 
2014 or at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting next 
following the date on which this resolution is passed (whichever 
is earlier), save that the Company may before such expiry make 
any offer or agreement which would or might require relevant 
securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may 

allot relevant securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement 
as if that authority had not expired.

7  Directors’ power to issue shares for cash 

 That, in substitution for any equivalent authorities and 
powers granted to the directors prior to the passing of this 
resolution, the directors be and they are hereby empowered 
pursuant to section 570(1) of the Act to allot equity securities 
(as defined in section 560 of the Act) of the Company wholly 
for cash pursuant to the authority of the directors conferred 
by resolution 6 above, and/or where such an allotment 
constitutes an allotment of equity securities by virtue of 
section 560(2) of the Act, as if section 561(1) of the Act did not 
apply to such allotment provided that the power conferred by 
this resolution shall be limited to: 

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(a)   (the allotment of equity securities in connection with an 
invitation or offer of equity securities to the holders of 
ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (excluding 
any shares held by the Company as treasury shares (as 
defined in section 724(5) of the Act)) on a fixed record date 
in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to their respective 
holdings of such shares or in accordance with the rights 
attached to such shares (but subject to such exclusions or 
other arrangements as the directors may deem necessary 
or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or as 
a result of legal or practical problems under the laws of, 
or the requirements of any regulatory body or any stock 
exchange in any territory or otherwise howsoever);

(b)   the allotment of equity securities pursuant to the exercise 
of any options granted by the Company at the date of this 
resolution; and 

(c)   the allotment, otherwise than pursuant to paragraphs 

(a) and (b) above, of equity securities up to an aggregate 
nominal value equal to £55,868 and unless previously 
renewed, revoked, varied or extended, this power shall 
expire on the earlier of the date falling 18 months after the 
date of the passing of this resolution and the conclusion of 
the next annual general meeting of the Company except 
that the Company may at any time before such expiry 
make an offer or agreement which would or might require 
relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the 
directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such 
an offer or agreement as if this power had not expired.

By Order of the Board

Nigel Fox
Secretary

Registered office: 74 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY
Registered number: 6133927

18 October 2012

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76

Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

Notes:
1. 

 Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended), only those members registered in the 
register of members of the Company at 6.00 p.m. on 13 November 2012 (or if the Annual General Meeting is adjourned, 48 hours 
before the time fixed for the adjourned Annual General Meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting 
in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time. In each case, changes to the register of members after such 
time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the Annual General Meeting.

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

 If you wish to attend the Annual General Meeting in person and to ensure your entrance to the meeting is dealt with promptly, 
please bring your attendance card with you and register at the registration desk inside the building.

 A member who is entitled to attend, speak and vote at the Annual General Meeting may appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote 
instead of him. A member may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different 
shares (so a member must have more than one share to be able to appoint more than one proxy). A proxy need not be a member 
of the Company but must attend the Annual General Meeting in order to represent you. A proxy must vote in accordance with any 
instructions given by the member by whom the proxy is appointed. Appointing a proxy will not prevent a member from attending in 
person and voting at the Annual General Meeting (although voting in person at the Annual General Meeting will terminate the proxy 
appointment). A proxy form is enclosed. The notes to the proxy form include instructions on how to appoint the Chairman of the 
Annual General Meeting or another person as a proxy. You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these Notes and 
in the notes to the proxy form. 

 To be valid, a proxy form, and the original or duly certified copy of the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is 
signed or authenticated, should reach the Company’s registrar, Neville Registrars at Neville House, 18 Laurel Lane, Halesowen, West 
Midlands B63 3DA, by no later than 9.00 a.m. on 13 November 2012. 

 The notes to the proxy form include instructions on how to appoint a proxy by using the CREST proxy appointment service. You may 
not use any electronic address provided either in this Notice of Annual General Meeting or in any related documents (including the 
proxy form) to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.

6. 

 In the case of joint holders of shares, the vote of the first named in the register of members who tenders a vote, whether in person or 
by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of other joint holders.

7. 

8. 

 A member that is a company or other organisation not having a physical presence cannot attend in person but can appoint someone 
to represent it. This can be done in one of two ways: Either by the appointment of a proxy (described in Notes 3 to 5 above) or of 
a corporate representative. Members considering the appointment of a corporate representative should check their own legal 
position, the Company’s articles of association and the relevant provision of the Companies Act 2006. 

 Copies of the executive directors’ service contracts with the Company and any of its subsidiary undertakings and letters of 
appointment of the non-executive directors are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during the usual 
business hours on any weekday (Saturday, Sunday or public holidays excluded) from the date of this notice until the conclusion of  
the Annual General Meeting and will also be available for inspection at the place of the Annual General Meeting from 9.00 a.m.  
on the day of the Annual General Meeting until its conclusion.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

77

Notes to Notice of Annual General Meeting

Resolution 1 – Report and Accounts
All companies are required by law to lay their annual accounts and reports before a general meeting of the Company, together with the 
directors’ report and auditor’s report on the accounts. At the Annual General Meeting, the directors will present these documents to the 
shareholders for the financial year ended 30 June 2012.

Resolution 2 – Re-election of directors
These resolutions concern the re-appointment of David Bestwick, Matthew O’Connor and Richard Vos who are retiring at the meeting by 
rotation in accordance the Company’s articles of association.

Biographies of these directors are set out on page 23.

Resolution 3 – Election of director
This resolution concerns the election of Paul Walsh as a director of the Company. Paul Walsh was appointed by the board on 3 January 
2012 as an non-executive director. Paul Walsh is required by the Company’s articles of association to offer himself for re-election at the 
annual general meeting following his appointment.

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A biography of Paul Walsh is set out on page 23.

Resolution 4 – Re-appointment of auditors
This resolution concerns the re-appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers as auditors until the conclusion of the next general meeting at 
which accounts are laid, that is, the next Annual General Meeting.

Resolution 5 – Auditors remuneration
This resolution authorises the directors to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

Resolution 6 – Directors’ authority to allot shares
This resolution grants the directors authority to allot shares in the capital of the Company and other relevant securities up to an 
aggregate nominal value of £372,456, representing approximately 33.33% of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the 
Company as at 18 October 2012, being the latest practicable date before publication of this notice. The directors do not have any present 
intention of exercising the authorities conferred by this resolution but they consider it desirable that the specified amount of authorised 
but unissued share capital is available for issue so that they can more readily take advantage of possible opportunities. Unless revoked, 
varied or extended, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or the date falling  
18 months from the passing of the resolution, whichever is the earlier.

Resolution 7 – Directors’ power to issue shares for cash
This resolution authorises the directors in certain circumstances to allot equity securities for cash other than in accordance with the 
statutory pre-emption rights (which require a company to offer all allotments for cash first to existing shareholders in proportion to 
their holdings). The relevant circumstances are either where the allotment takes place in connection with a rights issue or the allotment 
is limited to a maximum nominal amount of £55,868, representing approximately 5% of the nominal value of the issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company as at 18 October 2012 being the latest practicable date before publication of this notice. Unless revoked, 
varied or extended, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company or 18 months after the passing of the 
resolution, whichever is the earlier. The directors consider that the power proposed to be granted by resolution 7 is necessary to retain 
flexibility, although they do not have any intention at the present time of exercising such power.

Further notes to the Annual General Meeting
Introduction
After his opening remarks, the Chairman will explain in the detail the procedures for the conduct of the meeting, particularly for asking 
questions. The resolutions which are set out in the Notice of Meeting will then be put to the meeting.

How to ask questions
At the meeting, shareholders will be given the opportunity to ask questions. Please explain the nature of your question and give your name 
and address. You may be asked to wait until called upon to speak. Please remember to state your name before asking your question.

Time
The doors will open at 8.30 am and the meeting will start promptly at 9.00 am.

Cameras, tape recorders etc.
No cameras, video recorders, tape recorders or mobile phones will be allowed into the meeting.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
78

Explanatory Notes to the Resolutions

Registration
To ensure your entrance to the meeting is dealt with promptly, please bring your attendance card with you and register at the 
registration desk inside the building.

Shareholder information
If you have any questions concerning your shareholding, please speak to Avanti Communications Group plc.

Important
If you have questions about the meeting, or if you need any assistance, please telephone Georgina Campbell-Harris at Avanti 
Communications Group plc on 0207 749 1600 during normal working hours.

Analysis of Shareholders

Range of holdings

Less than 10,001

10,001–20,000

20,001–50,000

50,001–100,000

100,001–150,000

150,001–300,000

300,001–500,000

500,001–1,000,000

1,000,001 +

Financial Calendar
November 2012
Annual General Meeting

Number of shares

Number of shareholders

4,024,090

1,288,924

2,212,257

2,070,756

2,793,044

5,727,008

5,674,272

9,705,904

78,240,594

2,295

89

71

29

21

27

15

13

17

February 2013
Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2012

September 2013
Preliminary results for the year ended 30 June 2013

Shareholder information
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 74 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3AY.

Details of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting are contained in the Notice of Annual General Meeting  
on page 75.

Dividend
The Directors have not recommended the payment of a dividend for the year ended 30 June 2012.

Listing
Ordinary shares of Avanti Communications Group plc are traded on AIM.

The share price is available from the Avanti website at www.avantiplc.com and in The Financial Times and The Times.

Registrars
All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings should be directed to The Registrar, Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House,  
18 Laurel Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3DA.

Avanti’s services
Information about Avanti’s services can be found at www.avantiplc.com.

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 

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Proxy Form for Avanti Communications Group plc
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales under number 6133927) (the ‘Company’)

Proxy form for use at the annual general meeting of Avanti Communications Group plc (the “Company”) to be held at 74 Rivington Street, 
London EC2A 3AY on 15 November 2012 at 9.00 a.m. (“AGM” or “Meeting”).

I/We

of

being a member/members of the Company entitled to receive notice, attend and vote at general meetings of the Company, hereby 
appoint the Chairman of the Meeting (Note 1)

as my/our proxy to attend, speak and vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the AGM and at any adjournment thereof in relation to the 
resolutions specified in the notice of AGM dated 18 October 2012 (the “Resolutions” and the “Notice” respectively) and any other business 
(including adjournments and amendments to the Resolutions) which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

I/We direct my/our proxy to vote as follows in respect of the Resolutions (Note 2):

ORDINARY BUSINESS

1

To receive the report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012 (ordinary resolution)

For

Against

Vote Withheld 
(Note 2)

2.1

To re-elect David Bestwick as a director (ordinary resolution)

2.2

To re-elect Matthew O’Connor as a director (ordinary resolution)

2.3

To re-elect Richard Vos as a director (ordinary resolution)

3

4

5

6

7

To elect Paul Walsh as a director (ordinary resolution)

To re-appoint PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors (ordinary resolution)

To authorise the directors to fix the remuneration of the auditors (ordinary resolution)

SPECIAL BUSINESS

To authorise the directors to allot relevant securities (ordinary resolution)

To enable the directors to allot shares for cash without first offering them 
to existing shareholders (special resolution)

(Note 3) Number of shares in relation to which proxy is authorised to act:  

 This proxy appointment is one of a multiple proxy appointment (Note 4)

 This proxy appointment is signed on behalf of the member under power of attorney or other authority (Notes 5 and 6)

Signed

Dated

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Proxy Form for Avanti Communications Group plc continued
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales under number 6133927) (the ‘Company’) continued

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

 A member who is entitled to attend, speak and vote may appoint a proxy 
to attend, speak and vote instead of him. A proxy need not be a member 
of the Company but must attend the AGM in order to represent you. A 
member wishing to appoint someone other than the Chairman of the 
Meeting as his or her proxy should insert that person’s name in the 
space provided in substitution for the reference to “the Chairman of the 
Meeting” (and delete that reference) and initial the alteration.

 Please indicate by inserting an “X” in the appropriate box how you 
wish your vote to be cast on the Resolutions. Your proxy must vote in 
accordance with any instructions given by you. If you mark the box “vote 
withheld” it will mean that your proxy will abstain from voting. A “vote 
withheld” is not a vote in law and will not be counted in the calculation of 
the proportion of the votes “For” and “Against” a resolution. If you fail to 
select any of the given options, the proxy can vote as he or she chooses or 
can decide not to vote at all.

 If the proxy is being appointed in relation to less than your full voting 
entitlement, please indicate on the line provided the number of shares 
in relation to which that person is authorised to act as your proxy. If left 
blank, your proxy will be deemed to be authorised in respect of your full 
voting entitlement or, if this proxy form has been issued in respect of a 
designated account for a shareholder, the full voting entitlement for that 
designated account. 

 A member may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is 
appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares (so a member must 
have more than one share to be able to appoint more than one proxy). A 
separate proxy form must be deposited for each proxy appointed. Further 
copies of this form may be obtained from Neville Registrars Limited between 
9.00am and 5.00pm (London time) Monday to Friday on 0121 585 1131 from 
within the UK or +44 121 585 1131 if calling from outside the UK, or you may 
photocopy this form. If you appoint multiple proxies please indicate on the 
line provided the number of shares in relation to which the person named 
on this form is authorised to act as your proxy, and also indicate by ticking 
the box provided that the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions 
being given. All forms must be signed and returned to Neville Registrars 
Limited, the Company’s registrars, at the address below, together in the 
same envelope. Where multiple proxies are appointed, failure to specify the 
number of shares to which this proxy appointment relates, or specifying a 
number which exceeds the number held by the member when totalled with 
the number specified on other proxy appointments by the same member, 
will render all the appointments invalid.

 To be valid, this proxy form, and the original or duly certified copy of the 
power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which  
it is signed or authenticated, must be received by post or (during normal 
business hours only) by hand at the offices of the Company’s registrars, 
Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House, 18 Laurel Lane, Halesowen, 
West Midlands B63 3DA by 9.00 a.m. on 13 November 2012. Alternatively, 
a member may appoint a proxy or proxies by using the CREST proxy 
appointment service, by following the procedure set out in Note 11 below. 
You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these Notes 
and in the notes to the Notice. 

 An individual member or his attorney must sign this form. If the 
member is a company, this proxy form must be executed under the 
company’s common seal or signed on the company’s behalf by a duly 
authorised officer or attorney of the company, stating their capacity 
(e.g. director, secretary).

 The appointment of a proxy will not preclude a member from attending the 
Meeting and voting in person. If the member appointing the proxy does so 
attend and vote, any proxy appointment will terminate automatically.

8 

9 

10 

11 

 In the case of joint holders, the proxy appointment of the most senior 
holder will be accepted to the exclusion of any appointments by the other 
joint holders. For this purpose, seniority is determined by the order in 
which the names are stated in the register of members of the Company in 
respect of the joint holding.

 A member wishing to change his or her proxy instructions should submit a 
new proxy appointment using the methods set out, and by the time limit 
specified, in Note 5. Any changes to proxy instructions received after that 
time will be disregarded. A member who requires another form should 
contact Neville Registrars Limited between 9.00am and 5.00pm (London 
time) Monday to Friday on 0121 585 1131 from within the UK or +44 121 
585 1131 if calling from outside the UK. Subject to Note 4, if a member 
submits more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received 
last before the time limit in Note 5 will take precedence.

 A member wishing to revoke his or her proxy appointment should do 
so by sending a notice to that effect to the Company’s registrars to the 
address set out in Note 5 or electronically by means of the facilities 
described in Note 11 below. The revocation notice must be received 
by Neville Registrars Limited by the time limit set out in Note 5. Any 
revocation notice received after this time will not have effect. 

 CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the 
CREST proxy appointment service may do so for the Meeting (and any 
adjournment thereof) by following the procedures described in the CREST 
Manual. CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members 
(and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider) 
should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider, who will be 
able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

 In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by means of CREST 
to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) 
must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland 
Limited’s (“Euroclear”) specifications and must contain the information 
required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The 
message (regardless of whether it relates to the appointment of a proxy, 
the revocation of a proxy appointment or to an amendment to the 
instruction given to a previously appointed proxy) must, in order to be 
valid, be transmitted so as to be received by Neville Registrars Limited (ID 
7RA11) by the latest time(s) for receipt of proxy appointments specified in 
Note 5 above. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the 
time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST 
Applications Host) from which Neville Registrars Limited is able to retrieve 
the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After 
this time any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST 
should be communicated to the appointee through other means.

 CREST members (and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting 
service providers) should note that Euroclear does not make available 
special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system 
timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST 
Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned 
to take (or if the CREST member is a CREST personal member or sponsored 
member or has appointed a voting service provider, to procure that his 
CREST sponsor or voting service provider takes) such action as shall be 
necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST 
system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members (and, 
where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers) are 
referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual (available at 
www.euroclear.com/CREST) concerning practical limitations of the CREST 
system and timings.

 The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the 
circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities 

Regulations 2001 (as amended).

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
100/35/00/15

Avanti Communications sells 
satellite data communications 
services to telecoms companies 
which use them to supply 
enterprise, institutional and 
consumer users.

Avanti’s first satellite, called HYLAS 1, launched 
in November 2010 and was the first superfast Ka-
band satellite launched in Europe. Avanti’s second 
satellite, called HYLAS 2, was launched in August 
2012 and extends Avanti’s coverage to Africa, the 
Caucasus and the Middle East. HYLAS 3 will also 
serve Africa in 2015. 

81

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Officers and Professional Advisers

Bankers
HSBC Bank Plc
70 Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5EZ

Solicitors
Osborne Clark
2 Temple Black East
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6EG

Registered Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1 Embankment Place
London
WC2N 6RH

Directors
F E J G Brackenbury CBE
Chairman

D J Williams
Chief Executive

D J Bestwick
Managing Director Cyprus

N A D Fox
Group Finance Director

M J O’Connor
Chief Operating Officer

D A Foster 
Non-Executive Director

W P Wyatt
Non-Executive Director

C R Vos
Non-Executive Director

M Walker OBE
Non-Executive Director

P Walsh
Non-Executive Director

Secretary
N A D Fox

Registered Office
74 Rivington Street
London
EC2A 3AY

Company Number
6133927

Avanti Communications Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2012

 
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100/35/00/15

Go where you 
want to go

100/35/00/15

Avanti Communications Group plc

74 Rivington Street 
London 
EC2A 3AY

www.avantiplc.com

Avanti 
Communications 
Group plc

Annual Report and Accounts 
2012