Press Releases
iDirect picks Telesat satellite for South American service
Telesat's new Anik F1 becoming satellite of choice for intercontinental Internet services.
WASHINGTON, DC, March 28, 2001 - Just weeks after beginning commercial service on its powerful new Anik F1 satellite, Telesat today announced that it has signed a 10-year contract with iDirect Inc., under which the Virginia-based company will use Telesat's new Anik F1 satellite to offer high-speed, two-way broadband Internet access to the growing South American market.
"It's clear that Telesat's Anik F1 is on its way to becoming the satellite of choice for those who want to serve South America's growing market for high-speed Internet services," said Dennis Billard, Telesat's vice president of business development. "Telesat looks forward to helping iDirect provide outstanding service to customers across the continent."
Under the agreement, iDirect will lease two C-band transponders (one north to south, and one south to north) on Anik F1, one of the world's most advanced communications satellites. Telesat is using the powerful new satellite to serve both North and South America — a first for the world's most experienced commercial satellite operator. Since Anik F1 went into service in mid-February, Telesat has been announcing significant contracts with companies eager to serve the growing Latin American market.
"iDirect is excited about using Telesat's Anik F1 satellite to bring the business world's fastest global internet service to South America," said George Gonzalez, president and CTO of iDirect. "Anik F1's power and coverage of both North and South America, along with Telesat's long experience in satellite operations, were critical factors in our decision."
iDirect's satellite broadband service connects global organizations directly to the US Internet backbone, allowing them to bypass the multiple points of congestion on the public network infrastructure. iDirect's service is designed for customers requiring high-speed, high-availability, end-to-end Internet and intranet access without relying on local infrastructure. Using Anik F1's South American broadcast capabilities, iDirect will help its customers quickly overcome their bandwidth challenges with minimal upfront investment.
Telesat made the announcement at Satellite 2001, one of the premier industry trade shows in the world. In this new era of liberalized trade in satellite services, Telesat is aggressively marketing its services across North and South America. Last year, the company established Telesat Communications Services, a US service and sales division that offers domestic and international satellite transmission services to broadcasters, cable companies, telecommunications resellers and other businesses from coast to coast.
About iDirect (www.idirect.net)
Founded in 1994 by innovators in satellite data transmission, iDirect provides the business world the only global, high-speed Internet service. Using its proprietary technology to maximize existing satellite networks, iDirect helps corporate customers connect to the Internet backbone no matter where they are located, exclusive of terrestrial infrastructure. The company is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.About Telesat
Telesat is the world's most experienced commercial satellite operator. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Based in Ottawa, Canada, Telesat now provides telecommunications and broadcast distribution services in the Americas and is a leading consultant, operator and partner in satellite ventures around the globe. Telesat is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., one of the world's leading telecommunications companies.For more information:
Marilynn Wright
Telesat
(613) 748-8855
Dan Tisch or Josh Cobden
Environics Communications (media only)
(416) 993-8472 (cell)
(416) 899-7773 (cell)
Scott Booth
iDirect
(703) 648-8173
