AVONLINE TO DELIVER BDUK 30Mbps SUPERFAST SATELLITE BROADBAND PILOT SCHEME IN SCOTTISH BORDERS

Avonline plc has been selected to deliver the UK's first 30Mbps superfast satellite broadband service to the Scottish Borders.

Avonline Broadband, the UK's largest satellite broadband provider, is offering to install and connect a new superfast broadband service absolutely free of charge for up to 1,000 qualifying customers. As part of a series of BDUK pilot schemes, broadband speeds of up to 30Mbs is now available to homes in identified rural ‘notspot' postcodes in the county.

The scheme benefits from satellite broadband's unique ‘available anywhere' technology that can immediately deliver superfast internet to any home or business in the Scottish Borders, regardless of location or remoteness

The new 30Mbs service is the fastest consumer service offered in the UK via satellite. Known as Rural Max, it offers download speeds of up to 30Mb, with a 40GB monthly data limit. No phone line is required to receive the service. Package prices start at £24.99 per month.

Mark Wynn, managing director of Avonline Broadband, said: "Using the Broadband Delivery UK Market Testing Pilot (MTP) funding, the Scottish Borders has been selected as one of only five UK counties in which to pilot this new superfast satellite broadband service, capable of delivering up to 30Mbps service to those in the final five per cent of the population unable to benefit from fixed line superfast broadband service because of their rural location.

"For many homes and businesses in rural Scottish Borders satellite broadband is their only realistic solution of a better broadband connection over the next few years. With only 1,000 free connections available and such a great service on offer, we believe that the scheme will be very successful so those who are interested will need to act fast."

"Avonline has also announced that it is scrapping all upfront costs including installation and activation charges. The result is superfast broadband which is in line with terrestrial broadband pricing, and - importantly - available to rural households and businesses that would be otherwise excluded."

Further information is available atwww.avonlinebroadband.comor by calling 0303 303 3131.

Finally, due to the interest in the superfast pilot scheme, Avonline has also announced that for anyone interested in satellite broadband that does not qualify for the pilot scheme, it will also offer no upfront charges, meaning free installation and activation on its ‘up to 22Mbps' satellite broadband service which is available across the whole of the UK.

ENDS

For further information and interviews:

Mark Wynn, Managing Director, Avonline Broadband, tel 07970 008001

Email: mark.wynn@avonline.co.uk

Further images are available from:

Ken Harrison, HPR Marketing, tel 07801 649045. Email kharrison@hprmarketing.co.uk