Introduction
Telesat satellite capacity has provided critical communications links for both civilian and military end-users throughout our history. Today Telesat’s global fleet is playing an increasingly important role in the government sector. Main government services that Telesat satellites support include:
| Military Communications | Digital Inclusion | Communications in Canada’s Far North | Hosted Payloads |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Telstar 12 – Preferred choice of customers seeking US to Middle East connectivity Telstar 11N – Provides two-way broadband for aircraft crossing the Atlantic Telstar 18 – Supports NATO with advanced broadband in Afghanistan Anik G1 – First commercial satellite with substantial X-band coverage of the Pacific |
Anik F1 – Key role in Colombia’s Compartel program that enables remote communities to have Internet access and telecom services Telstar 14R/ Estrela do Sul 2 – services for the Brazilian government |
Telesat’s Anik Fleet provides Canadian government customers with satellite broadband in both C-band and Ku-band that supports critical missions to:
|
Telesat’s Anik F1R includes a specialized payload for the Wide Area Augmentation System, or WAAS, that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is using to improve North American Air Traffic Control |
The following sections provide additional information on Telesat’s government services.
US Government
At home and abroad, the US government (USG) continues to expand its use of commercial satellite capacity. And Telesat has become a leader in meeting the USG’s requirements: from border security and emergency response, to advanced comms-on-the-move solutions and support for troop morale & welfare. Telesat’s satellites are relied on by first responders, tactical warfighters and peacekeepers for secure broadband communications that promote mission success.
Telesat’s global fleet has supported UAV operations across the globe, elections in Iraq, mobile communications for the Air Force and the Navy, and homeland security. Our fleet also has helped restore critical communications infrastructure in US cities after hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Canadian Government
As a leading provider of satellite services to the Canadian government, Telesat has demonstrated its ability to deliver the best combination of price and performance while competing against satellite providers, terrestrial and other non-satellite technologies. Telesat has won contracts to provide C-band and Ku-band satellite capacity and teleport services domestically and internationally, in addition to reselling X-band services globally. Recent awards have ranged from services that expand and improve on communications to, and within, Canada’s Northern communities, to aiding the DND in humanitarian operations in response to natural disasters, to supplying capacity to support military operations abroad.
By including X-band transponders on Telesat’s newest satellite, Anik G1 scheduled for launch in 2013, Telesat again demonstrated our commitment to invest in advanced payloads that serve the Canadian government market.
Beyond satellite capacity, Telesat provides Canadian government customers with advanced satellite networking solutions for broadband Internet services. Telesat is unsurpassed in combining satellite and terrestrial sites to create highly resilient “hybrid networks” that can cover virtually any geography. TELiproTM, based on the iDirect platform, is an example of a Telesat service that includes a fully managed, end-to-end private broadband solution that is also ideal for mobile applications.
Telesat utilizes the latest technologies from Comtech, ND Satcom and other state-of-the-art satellite communications equipment manufacturers in providing RF Teleport based solutions to Canadian government customers.
Governments in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America
From “digital inclusion” projects in Colombia that bring IP services to remote communities, to helping extend the reach of Brazilian welfare services, Telesat satellites are increasingly relied on by governments worldwide to support their goals in both domestic and international markets. Telesat’s satellites have enabled a British government agency to implement a virtual private network in over 100 countries that promotes cultural relations and educational partnerships. In Asia, Telesat’s global reach is relied on by national governments to conduct affairs in-region and support relief activities as far away as the Americas. Telesat is even enabling NATO to extend broadband networks in Afghanistan.
Hosted Government Payloads
In recent years, government leaders in developed countries have encouraged defense agencies to shift away from dedicated government satellite programs that can be costly and take years to deploy. This push has led government customers to increase their demand for commercial satellite services and, in some cases, pursue a hosted payload on a commercial satellite.
The advantages of hosted payloads for government customers can be highly compelling and mostly involve reduced cost and accelerated service implementation (versus waiting for a complex government system to become operational). The challenge for government customers is to find a commercial program that can accommodate their payload in terms of schedule and the capabilities of the chosen satellite platform.
Telesat has had significant experience with hosted payloads for the Canadian and US governments:
- 1978—back when Ku was still experimental, Anik B had a governmental Ku band payload used to test DTH and transportable services
- 2002—early days of Ka-band, Nimiq 2 had a government-supported Ka payload
- 2004—Anik F2 launched with a Ka-band on-board processor for the Canadian Space Agency
- 2005—Anik F1R carried a L band wide area augmentation service (WAAS) payload for the US FAA that provides enhanced GPS for aviation purposes
A Growing Commitment to the Government Market
Telesat is proud to have achieved a leadership role as a supplier of advanced satcom solutions to government customers. Serving the government market is a core priority and we look forward to continuing to meet the communications needs of both civilian and military agencies worldwide. Telesat is planning future satellites which could potentially accommodate a hosted payload. We would encourage government customers to contact us if you would like to explore the possibility of a hosted payload program, or if you have any questions on Telesat’s government services.