Canadians to launch another Ka-satellite | Print | E-mail
Written by Chris Forrester
Thursday, 14 January 2010 17:42
It seems everything is changing as far as Canadian satellite capacity is concerned.
Despite the existing satellite capacity from the likes of Anik, there's a new player in the form of OmniGlobe Networks, a Montreal, Canada-based business, which says it intends "to procure, launch and operate a Ka-Band Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) geostationary communications satellite over Canada. OmniGlobe has initiated the application for an orbital slot and plans to launch CANUK-1, a medium sized spacecraft, in the third quarter of 2013.
OmniGlobe Networks specializes in advanced satellite and terrestrial and cellular wireless telecommunications products and services and has a proven track record in delivering connectivity to un-served areas across Canada. To date, OmniGlobe has completed over 400 community and satellite network installations and has coverage to a population base of over 120,000 people across its Canadian sites.
The current lack of availability of ubiquitous Ka-Band capacity over Canada due to the ever-increasing demand for higher bandwidth services has led OmniGlobe to seek increased space segment to support its growth strategy as well as deliver enhanced services to its wide customer base.
The satellite program will be led by OmniGlobe Space, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OmniGlobe Networks. OmniGlobe's satellite will be optimized for the Canadian market and will provide Ka Band capacity throughout the whole of Canada. The multiple beams satellite will be specifically designed to facilitate the delivery of advanced services including broadband Internet, Voice over IP (VoIP), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), videoconferencing, cellular telephony, and telemedicine. It will also be suitable for the provision of real time services such as broadband "hot spots" and instant cellular telephony infrastructure in emergency and disaster recovery situations.
"OmniGlobe Networks goes beyond simple telecommunications" added Jason Neale, CEO. "Our connectivity solutions have a real impact on our customers' quality of lives and putting their needs first remains our top priority. This project marks our commitment to ensuring that we have adequate spectrum to meet both their present and future requirements."
(c) Rapid TV News 2010