Telesat and Northern Telecom have agreed to jointly develop satellite-based solutions that will help to bring affordable telephony to underserved markets around the world.
These solutions will leverage a new-generation geostationary satellite
system with substantially increased transponder capabilities that enable
smaller, more cost-effective satellite dishes to be easily installed by users in underserved and rural locations.
Telesat and Nortel have been working closely for several months to define
market opportunities, structure business cases, design network solutions and
determine partnering strategies for delivery of these services to different
regions of the globe. The companies plan to announce additional alliance
partners in the coming months.
“The evolution of satellite technologies now provides us with an
opportunity to develop extremely cost-effective wireless services, providing
telephone and computer access from anywhere within a region, country or
continent,” said Paul Bush, vice-president, corporate development, Telesat.
“This exciting new project with Nortel capitalizes on advanced satellite
technology to open new markets throughout the world.”
Nortel Satellite Network Solutions leverage the company’s entire
portfolio of world-class telecommunications products and services to address
the needs of satellite service operators. Today, Nortel offers the Satellite
Access Solution using the Nortel Small Wireless Switch to provide economical
infrastructure alternatives to operators serving remote and low subscriber
density areas.
Nortel and Telesat both recently announced research and development
initiatives with the Canadian Space Agency to develop advanced satellite
network systems.
