Telesat Canada

Telesat Canada

NATURE OF BUSINESS:
Telesat is a pioneer in the delivery of satellite communications solutions, and a highly respected consultant and partner in satellite ventures around the globe. The company is one of the worlds top satellite operators, providing telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the Americas. With more than thirty years of engineering and technical experience, Telesat is a diversified, end-to-end satellite services company with more than 500 employees located throughout the Americas and on international assignment.

Telesat offers:

 C-, Ku- and Ka-band RF Channel services throughout North America, and C- and Ku-band RF Channel services to South America;

 an extensive ground infrastructure that includes earth stations, a national and international Teleport network, a Satellite Network Operations Centre, a state of the art Repair Centre, and Tracking, Telemetry and Command stations;

 a wide variety of products and service solutions for business customers who use satellite to transmit voice, data and image information;

 consulting services worldwide with a wide range of specialized space-related expertise, services and software products designed to assist satellite owners and operators, and spacecraft manufacturers; and

 extensive experience installing, operating and maintaining VSAT based private data networks.

Telesats headquarters are located in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). The company is wholly owned by BCE Inc., a leading communications company.

In 2004, Telesat generated operating revenues of $362.2 million and had assets valued at $1.5 billion.


Key Customers:
Automotive Industry (GM. Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, etc.), Canadian
Broadcasting Industry, Canadian Telcos, Canadian Direct-to-Home
service providers, Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.,
Government of Canada.


Company Background and History:
Incorporated in 1969, Telesat made history with the launch of its Anik A1 satellite in 1972 becoming the first commercial company in the world to operate a domestic geostationary communications satellite.

All fifteen of Telesats satellites have been successfully launched, and the company serves over 250 customers around the globe.

Telesats in-orbit fleet includes the Anik E2 satellite; the dual-band Anik F1, serving North and South America; and two Nimiq direct broadcast satellites delivering direct-to-home satellite television to Canadians. An additional satellite was secured, renamed Nimiq 3, and collocated with Nimiq 1 to provide backup services. The Companys newest satellite, Anik F2, commercializes the use of Ka-band delivered through a spot beam technology that provides enhanced performance necessary for two-way data services to small terminals. This innovative Ka-band payload enables high-speed affordable Internet anywhere in North America, and has opened the door to new government broadband services for such applications as tele-learning, tele-health and e-services.

The Anik F1R satellite remains on schedule for launch in 2005. The spacecraft has three payloads: a 32 channel Ku-band, a 24 channel C-band, and a navigation payload operating in both the C- and L-bands. This navigation payload will be the first such deployment on a commercial satellite, and will provide a critical component for air traffic control moving forward.

Construction on the Anik F3 satellite is also underway, with that launch scheduled in 2006. Telesats 17th satellite, Anik F3, will provide a wide range of telecommunications, broadcasting, business communications and Internet-based services to users across North America.

In addition, Telesat is currently providing stationkeeping control for XM Satellite Radios three satellites; and Mobile Satellite Ventures MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 mobile satellites.


Business and Product Description:
Telesats experience is rooted in the unique challenge of bridging Canadas vast distances. Because satellites are the most cost-effective way to transmit television signals to numerous widely-dispersed sites, most of the nations broadcasters rely on Telesat to deliver their programming to cable and Direct-to-Home (DTH) operators from coast to coast. Telesats voice and data transmission services enable major telephone companies to extend their services to remote areas of Canada. In addition, Telesat provides satellite-based wireless data networks and related ground segment and maintenance services to private companies and government organizations that require voice, data and video applications such as point-of-sale transactions, electronic banking, airline and travel reservations, retail inventory management, video conferencing, distance education, LAN-to-LAN connectivity, intranets, and private voice networks.

As the worlds first company to establish and operate a commercial domestic satellite communications system, Telesat has developed a wide range of specialized services designed to assist satellite operators, spacecraft manufacturers and companies involved in the field of satellite communications. These services include a wide range of satellite consulting services, award winning satellite operational services and a variety of software products. The pinnacle of Telesats satellite control system is its OnOrbit FDS (Flight Dynamics System) software for mission and stationkeeping operations.

Telesat's expertise in the design, procurement, launch and operation of satellites and satellite communications systems is in continuous demand. Telesat has an extensive portfolio of satellite consulting services which has developed as a result of the company's excellent reputation in the industry. As of today Telesat engineers have provided satellite procurement support to eighty-four (84) satellites, which includes the Companys own satellites.

Telesat's capabilities encompass every aspect of establishing a satellite system from feasibility studies contractual negotiations, satellite procurement monitoring, satellite operations and service roll-out.

In addition to providing specialized consulting services, Telesat is a market leader in the provision of Transfer Orbit Services to the satellite industry, providing services in C, Ku and BSS frequency bands.

Telesat's comprehensive network management systems allow the Company to dynamically monitor and control all aspects of service. A team of highly qualified and experienced technologists and engineers operate, control, maintain and repair a continent-wide network of more than 20,000 telecommunications earth stations.

The Satellite Network Operations Centre (SNOC) is the operations and monitoring centre for Telesat's services, and is manned 24-hours a day. From this centre, technologists provide immediate diagnostic assistance, and coordinate the dispatch of field personnel and spares.

Collocated with SNOC is the VSAT Control Centre which serves as a reporting and technical support centre for Telesat's North American VSAT customers and 700+ field service representatives. The repair and calibration lab as well as the prime Telemetry, Tracking and Command Centre for Telesat's satellites also reside within this facility. Through this centre and 13 North American offices and Teleports, Telesat provides the most reliable and cost efficient access to satellite services and unequalled operational and support services.


DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES:

Telesats state-of-the-art Applications Development Laboratory generates national and international attention through the demonstration and promotion of new leading edge satellite-based services for Canadians and customers around the world.

Most of the projects supported by the lab are through partnerships with industry and research organizations, building a strong foundation for long term cooperation. These include the Canadian and European Space Agencies, Industry Canada, Communications Research Centre, TETRA and CANARIE. The Lab hosts many concurrent applications that are continually updated based on demand and changing priorities.

Telesat made major investments to upgrade its R&D lab in 2004, strengthening this unique, leading-edge facility for the evaluation and demonstration of next-generation satellite services. This world-class lab is made available to customers for testing and demonstrations as they evolve their services to take advantage of emerging technologies. Examples include: the latest Ka-band technologies and systems for high-speed Internet access to consumers and enterprise; cutting-edge telemedicine services; multimedia communications to ships; remote security and surveillance systems; and broadband communications links through the worlds first digital, regenerative on-board processor.

Telesats R&D team has also been involved in developing a wide range of leading-edge broadcast technologies and applications, including internet protocol TV (IPTV) delivery to wireless fidelity (WiFi) hot spots and remote cable head ends, advanced compression systems for both high-definition television (HDTV) and satellite digital television (SDTV), a unique HDTV evaluation facility, digital signage, electronic cinema, and the next-generation of digital video broadcasting (DVB) broadcast systems.

This ongoing R&D work and expertise in broadcast technologies contributed to Telesats recently being chosen to host the World Broadcast Unions international interoperability testing of HDTV codecs over satellite, in collaboration with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Communications Research Centre Canada.

Applications Development
Current projects being supported by Telesat include:

1. The Flight Demo program funded by the Canadian Space Agency and primed by Telesat is coming to a successful completion with the in-orbit testing of Anik F2s Ka-band payload. This program has led to the development of two advanced processor systems on Anik F2 one commercial and one experimental. The Anik F2/Ka-band program is recognized internationally as a milestone achievement and a successful model for government-industry R&D.

2. European Space Agency (ESA) funding was instrumental in the development and field testing of new broadband services to ships, leading to a new commercial service. The ESA has also been a partner in the development of an advanced home care product that will be used in upcoming telemedicine trials by satellite in Ontario. This will bring particular benefits to patients living in rural and remote communities.


3. The Real-time Emergency Management via Satellite (REMSAT II) program was successfully demonstrated during the summer in Whistler, BC, and was then immediately pressed into service to combat a major forest fire near Lillooet. The system, which can be deployed quickly, combines communications from four different types of satellite featuring mobile communications, broadband voice and data communications, global positioning system-based navigation and locating, and near-real-time earth observation information for disaster and emergency management applications. The system has attracted great interest from both Canadian and foreign emergency organizations.

Company Details

Year Established: 1969

Total Sales ($CDN): $50,000,000 +

Number of Employees: 550

Company Information

Dave Lahey
Title: Vice President
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
Telephone: (416) 733-4032
Fax: (416) 229-3700
Email: Click Here

Barbara Ham
Title: Engineer
Area of Responsibility: Domestic Sales & Marketing
Telephone: (613) 748-0123
Fax: (613) 748-8712
Email: Click Here

Stuart Macmillan
Title: Public Affairs Officer
Telephone: (613) 748-8899
Fax: (613) 748-8712
Email: Click Here

Rory Mccormick
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Export Sales & Marketing
Telephone: (613) 748-0123
Fax: (613) 748-8712
Email: Click Here

Paul Bush
Title: Vice President
Area of Responsibility: Domestic Sales & Marketing
Telephone: (613) 748-0123
Fax: (613) 748-8712
Email: Click Here

Len Lawson
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Domestic Sales & Marketing
Telephone: (613) 748-0123
Fax: (613) 748-8712
Email: Click Here

Products

Flight Dynamics System (fds)

Satellite Communications

Satellite Tracking Telemetry & Control Facility

Satellite, Communications Systems, Custom

Satellite, Ground Terminals, Transportable

Services

Anikom Access Anikom Access service, which uses Telephony Earth Station (TES) equipment from Hughes Network Systems and state-of-the-art Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) technology, delivers toll quality voice communications; and is also used for such applications as file transfer, electronic mail and data interchange, facsimile, and access to corporate databases.

Broadcast Service Satellite is an extremely cost-effective way to distribute television and radio signals to multiple sites and, for this reason, most of Canada's national and regional television broadcasters have chosen this medium for their programming distribution. Telesat also provides North American broadcasters with access to space segment for occasional use broadcasting.

Consulting Telesat provides international consulting services on all aspects of satellite systems development and operations: satellite systems studies, frequency coordination, proposal preparation/evaluation for satellites and launch services, contract negotiations; launch services monitoring, network design and implementations, satellite operations; earth station and software engineering, risk evaluations and advice on satellite launch insurance.

Transfer Orbit And Satellite Operational Services Telesat can conduct an entire satellite mission, in either C or Ku frequency bands, from countdown and launch, through launch vehicle separation and initial acquisition, transfer and drift orbits, deployments and in-orbit testing, to continuous on-station operations.

Satellite Communications Links, Canada, Us

Satellite Communications Systems, Custom

Satellites, Flight Dynamics Software

Framecast FrameCast offers a high-performance, cost effective way to deliver information to remote locations. Using high-speed satellite transmissions, FrameCast also enables companies to transmit data, video and audio to multiple locations simultaneously. In this regard, FrameCast complements and enhances your terrestrial network