Avanti Communications said that it was close to securing government-backed finance for a second satellite launch, as satellite technology looked likely to play an important part in providing broadband internet links to rural areas.

The UK-based satellite company is already due to launch one satellite by the end of June 2010, offering internet connections of up to 10 megabits per second. However, David Williams, chief executive, said that a second satellite could be launched within three years.