Quebec, QC, June 19th, 2018 – NuRAN Wireless Inc. (“NuRAN Wireless” or the “Company”) (CSE: NUR) (OTC: NRRWF) (FSE :1RN) is pleased to announce that it has signed an MOU with Avanti Communications Group plc (“Avanti”), [AIM (AVN:LSE)] to market and distribute a combined 2G RAN product alongside Avanti’s Ka-band satellite backhaul solution.
Avanti Communications, a satellite operator based in London, England, provides satellite broadband services across Europe, the Middle East and Africa through its fleet of High Throughput Satellites. Avanti’s world-leading satellite technology sets a new standard for reliability, flexibility and value for Internet Service Providers, Mobile Network Operators, Governments and Satellite Operators. It has rights to orbital slots and Ka-band spectrum in perpetuity that covers an end market of over 1.7 billion people. The Group has invested $1.2 billion in a network that incorporates satellites, Gateway Earth Stations, data centres and a international fibre ring.
Reaching rural communities is highly strategic for both NuRAN and Avanti, with a clear focus on the African, Latin American and South East Asian markets. Reaching these communities often requires satellite backhaul as the only viable solution further highlighting the strategic advantage the two companies collaborating.
The partnership will officially kick off with a pilot for an incumbent East African Operator that has the scale to grow into a large deployment of sites across the region. The additional deployments are expected to start rolling out during the course of 2018 with an anticipated completion during the first half of 2019.
The World Economic Forum states that 3.9 billion people or 52% of the world’s population are currently unconnected. This is a dire statistic in an ever dependent connected world but at the same time is a huge opportunity for NuRAN Wireless and Avanti to connect those that need it most. With even a 2G GSM connection, these populations can finally have access to mobile coverage, basic internet, texting and most importantly be financially included with Mobile Banking generating economic growth. In addition to this, they can have education and health solutions delivered via USSD or IVR.
“NuRAN Wireless and Avanti have a shared vision of connecting the unconnected. Beginning in East Africa, we see this as the start of a very successful and long-term partnership. Avanti’s satellites provide ubiquitous coverage over countries of Sub Saharan Africa, making it the ideal solution for large-scale cellular backhaul deployments”; States Bradley Shaw Regional Manager Middle East and Africa for NuRAN Wireless.
Christian Georgeson, Chief Marketing Officer, Avanti Communications, said: “Avanti’s Ka-band satellite backhaul services, combined with NuRAN Wireless’ small cell technology provides a sustainable solution to extend mobile networks to rural and remote areas across Africa. Bringing internet services into these areas bridges the digital divide, thus, enables community members to become digital citizens.”
About Avanti Plc
Avanti connects people wherever they are – in their homes, businesses, in government and on mobiles. Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and partners in 118 countries, the network provides ubiquitous internet service to a quarter of the world’s population. Avanti delivers the level of quality and flexibility that the most demanding telecoms customers in the world seek. Avanti is the first mover in high throughput satellite data communications in EMEA. It has rights to orbital slots and Ka-band spectrum in perpetuity that covers an end market of over 1.7bn people. The Group has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates satellites, ground stations, datacentres and a fibre ring. Avanti has a unique Cloud based customer interface that is protected by patented technology. Avanti Communications is listed in London on AIM (AVN:LSE).
About NuRAN Wireless
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