The Canadian Space Agency, in collaboration with Telesat Canada of Gloucester, Ontario, and its partners, COM DEV International Limited of Cambridge, Ont. and EMS Technologies of Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., selected on the basis of a competitive process, will develop, deploy and operate an innovative Ka band high-speed, multimedia communications payload.

The multi-media payload, a key part of the $600 million ANIK F2 satellite, to be launched in 2002, will commercialize the use of the Ka band.

This payload offers the promise to deliver cheaper, faster and more highly effective communications services and expand access to tele-medicine, tele-learning, tele-working, e-commerce, high-speed Internet and government services to citizens living in urban, rural and remote communities throughout Canada.

"For three decades, Canada has continued to lead the world in the development and use of satellite technology to bring state-of-the-art communications services to urban centres, as well as remote communities throughout the country," said Minister Manley.

"Now, in addition to bringing Canadians exciting new multimedia services, we are enhancing the nation's competitiveness through our continuing support for leading-edge research and development," added Manley.

The agreement announced today includes an $80 million investment from the Canadian Space Agency and an additional $29 million contribution by Canadian industry bringing the total value of the project to $109 million.

Com Dev International Ltd and EMS Technologies will receive a total of $20M in non-repayable contributions to undertake research and development.

In exchange for its portion of the investment, Telesat Canada will provide the Government of Canada with an equivalent value in multimedia satellite services. These services will support important initiatives such as tele-medicine, tele-learning and the SchoolNet.

The first satellite in North America to carry a digital on-board processor, Telesat Canada's Anik F2 will continue to position the Canadian satellite industry to compete effectively in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Direct economic benefits from the Anik F2 Ka band multimedia satellite services are projected at over $1 billion with an additional $550 million to be generated in the initial seven years from spin-off opportunities resulting from the export of payload technologies and products.

Funding for the agreement is provided under the Canadian Space Program which is administered by the Canadian Space Agency. The Agreement will be jointly managed by the Canadian Space Agency, and the Communications Research Centre, an agency of Industry Canada.

Canadian Space Agency

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