Telesat procures direct broadcast satellite for Bell TV to lease

[dan9999]

Telesat procures direct broadcast satellite for Bell TV to lease
Dec 30, 2009
The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — Telesat said Wednesday it would procure a new broadcast satellite from Space Systems/Loral for use throughout its lifetime by BCE Inc.'s Bell TV (TSX:BCE).

Telesat said the Nimiq 6 satellite will help Bell TV enhance its ability to deliver high-definition television and other video services across the country.

Dan Goldberg, Telesat's president and chief executive officer, said Space Systems/Loral was selected to build the satellite after a competitive process in which they offered the best combination of technology, cost and schedule.

Goldberg also said the satellite, which has a planned mission life of 15 years, will bring "meaningful incremental revenue" for Telesat, a former subsidiary of BCE Inc. that was spun off by the Montreal-based telecommunications company.

Telesat is the world's fourth largest fixed satellite services operator. It has a fleet of 12 satellites with two more under construction. It also manages the operation of an additional 13 satellites for third parties.

Its principal shareholders are Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. of New York (Nasdaq:LORL), which owns Space Systems/Loral of Pasadena, Calif.

[dan9999]

Telesat to purchase Nimiq 6 from Space Systems/Loral
January 04, 2010
Source: MM Network
By: Media Mughals

The world’s fourth largest fixed satellite services operator, Telesat is adding a new direct broadcast satellite to its existing fleet. The Canada-headquartered firm has ordered this new satellite, called Nimiq 6, from Space Systems/Loral (SS/L)

SS/L, the world leader in commercial satellite manufacturing, will be the prime contractor for Nimiq 6. SS/L will be responsible for designing and building the satellite and supplying its payload of 32 high powered Ku-band transponders. Nimiq 6 will utilize the proven SS/L1300 platform and has a planned mission life of around 15 year. It will be located at 91 degrees West Longitude.

The stat-of-the-art satellite will be providing Direct-to-home TV services for the Bell TV subscribers across Canada. Bell TV would be able to deliver advanced High Definition TV and other video services for their subscribers throughout Canada.

Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO said, “SS/L was selected to build Nimiq 6 following a competitive procurement process as they offered the best combination of technology, cost and schedule. Nimiq 6 will result in meaningful incremental revenue and EBITDA for Telesat and, given that Bell TV has leased all of the satellite’s capacity for its expected lifetime, it significantly increases Telesat’s already industry leading contractual backlog to revenue ratio.”

“Nimiq 6 is the sixth satellite contract that we have been awarded in 2009,” said John Celli, president, Space Systems/Loral. “With six awards and seven launches, it has been a very exciting and busy year. We look forward to continued success in our work with Telesat.”

Telesat has a global state-of-the-art fleet of 13 satellites, with two more under construction, and manages the operations of 13 additional satellites for third parties. The company, with offices and facilities worldwide, provides reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers.