Ottawa-based Telesat has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit it to add military/governmental frequencies to its Lightspeed satellites. The frequencies would be enabled when its satellites are outside the US. Telesat’s Lightspeed wants to add Ka-band military options in the 20.2-20.7 GHz and 30-30.5 GHz bands. Telesat, in its filing to the FCC […]

Ottawa-based Telesat is to add military spectrum Ka-band frequencies to its upcoming Lightspeed fleet. An added 500 MHz of spectrum will be incorporated onto the first 156 satellites “to meet growing requirements of allied defence users,” said Telesat. The satellites are being built by MDA Space and the new functionality will not impact deliveries of […]

Qatar-based satellite operator Es’hailSat has signed a strategic partnership with Canadian operator Telesat to cooperate on the future delivery of low‑earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services in Qatar and across key international markets. Es’hailSat says the partnership reflects its ongoing commitment to diversify and enhance its satellite communications portfolio, ensuring customers benefit from high‑performance, resilient, and […]

Telesat launched its LEO-3 demo satellite back in July 2023. But it is now suffering problems with its on-board thruster. Telesat informed the FCC on February 2nd that it would not now be able to de-orbit the satellite at the end of its mission. The Ottawa-based operator is building a fleet of satellites for its […]

Canada-based satellite operator Telesat has confirmed that certain creditors holding portions of the company’s legacy GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) debt have filed lawsuits in both New York and Ontario, Canada regarding the equity distribution in September 2025 of the Telesat Lightspeed business. The lawsuits, filed at the direction of a group of distressed debt hedge […]

Lenders (bondholders) to Canada-based satellite operator Telesat are suing the company alleging that Telesat has illegally moved the firm’s “crown jewel asset” out of their reach ahead of critical debt-repayment deadlines. Telesat has $1.7 billion (€1.4bn) of debt maturing in December 2026, with nearly $450 million more coming due in 2027, according to a lawsuit […]

Canadian satellite operator Telesat says it will have its first pair of Lightspeed low Earth orbiting satellites in orbit by the end of 2026. A total of 96 will then be launched during early 2027 to start a global broadband service. This first pair will test the system and validate the concept. Telesat has booked […]

Telesat has purchased a land plot from the City of Timmins (in Ontario, Canada), which will serve as a landing station to connect data from the advanced Telesat low Earth orbiting Lightspeed satellite network to terrestrial Points of Presence and fibre in Northern Ontario. Construction of the satellite antennas and networking equipment will commence in […]

Canada-based satellite operator Telesat has formally cancelled its plans for an additional 1,671 low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. Telesat has already admitted that its important geostationary DTH business is under pressure and is betting its business mainly on a new LEO fleet, called Lightspeed. Lightspeed will comprise about 200 satellites. The now cancelled 1,671 craft […]

The Novaspace World Space Business Week kicked off in Paris but the news for video DTH confirms that the sector is in decline. Telesat’s CEO Dan Goldberg told delegates that people are watching more and more video, but it’s streaming and TikTok. “Unfortunately, they’re not watching so much satellite TV. It has been steady decline, […]