Hughes has purchased capacity on the Hylas satellite from U.K. broadband satellite company Avanti Communications for an initial payment of 7.5 million British pounds ($12.2 million), Avanti announced.
    As a result of the deal, Hughes will acquire Hylas capacity over the next 10 years in an effort to grow its business in Europe. Hughes also has agreed to a partnership to sell Hylas services to its customers in the oil and gas and lottery sectors.
    Avanti is currently building the Hylas satellite, which is scheduled for launch by Arianespace in 2010. Avanti currently provides satellite broadband services to customers in Europe using leased satellite capacity, which it will transfer to Hylas after it is launched.