Press Releases
Telesat, ViaSat partner to provide commercial Ka-band services
Consumers to benefit from satellite technology's new frontier.
WASHINGTON, DC, March 3, 2004 - Telesat, one of the world’s most experienced satellite companies, announced today that it has signed an authorization to proceed with ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT) for the provision of gateways and terminals for commercial and consumer Ka-band services on its Anik F2 satellite.
“Telesat believes that all consumers, regardless of location, should have access to the most advanced communications possible. Our partnership with ViaSat will help us realize Ka-band’s full potential,” said Dave Lahey, vice president of business development. “Telesat’s commitment to quality and innovation is met by ViaSat’s experience in satellite networking - allowing us to deliver high speed Internet services easily and affordably anywhere in Canada.”
Telesat’s Anik F2 is scheduled to launch this summer and will provide Canadian consumers from coast to coast with access to Ka-band broadband services. Anik F2 delivers broadband through a “spot beam” technology that uses its Ka-band capacity more efficiently by focusing coverage on prime service areas, rather than spreading the footprint equally over wide geographic regions. Combined with ViaSat’s technology, the system lowers the cost of consumer terminals, provides mature back office systems, and makes satellite a very cost-effective medium for broadband delivery. ViaSat is uniquely positioned to deliver these capabilities quickly, with all necessary equipment scheduled for commercial availability in September.
“Ka-band is the next wave in satellite communications, and Telesat is leading the way in providing widespread accessibility,” said Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat. “We’re pleased to be a part of this exciting step forward in bringing satellite innovation to life.”
As the world’s longest standing satellite operator, Telesat continues to provide consumers cutting-edge technology. The Anik F2 will become one of the world’s first satellites to provide Ka-band access to commercial users. Ka-band is the frequency of choice for broadband communications now and well into the future.
About Telesat
Telesat is a pioneer in satellite operations and systems management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Today, Telesat competes with other top international satellite fleets in providing telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the Americas. Telesat is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., a leading communications company with shares listed on stock exchanges in the United States, Canada and Europe.
About ViaSat (www.viasat.com)
ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. Products include satellite ground equipment, information security devices, tactical data radios and communication simulators. ViaSat has a full line of VSAT products for data and voice applications, and is a market leader in Ka-band satellite systems, from user terminals to large gateways. ViaSat has locations in Carlsbad, CA, and Norcross, GA, along with its Comsat Laboratories division based in Clarksburg, MD. Additional field offices are located in Boston, MA, the Washington DC/Baltimore area, China, India, Italy and Australia.
For more information:
Marilynn Wright
Telesat Canada
Tel: (613) 748-0123
m.wright@telesat.ca
Bruce Rowe
ViaSat
Tel: (760) 476-2505
bruce.rowe@viasat.com
Dan Tisch or Melissa Chang (media only)
Argyle Rowland Communications
(416) 968-7311 ext. 223 or 239
dtisch@argylerowland.com
melissa@argylerowland.com
