Telesat announce new satellite on back of Shaw deal

Canadian DTH provider Shaw Direct has signed an agreement to lease an entire payload comprising 16 Ku-band transponders on a new Telesat satellite, Anik G1.
Telesat stated that it expects to select a manufacturer for the new satellite over the next two…

Canadian DTH provider Shaw Direct has signed an agreement to lease an entire payload comprising 16 Ku-band transponders on a new Telesat satellite, Anik G1.

Telesat stated that it expects to select a manufacturer for the new satellite over the next two to three months, with construction expected to commence in Q2 2010. Anik G1, which will be located at 107.3W, is then predicted to be launched in the second half of 2012. In addition to the Shaw Direct capacity, Anik G1 will carry additional payloads to serve other markets

Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO, commented: “The ability of Telesat and Shaw to make the substantial investments associated with Anik G1 is the result of Industry Canada’s recent decision to make extended Ku-band available for direct-to-home television services, a decision that allows our companies to expand the delivery of advanced video services to all Canadians and enhances competition in Canada.”