Telesat shows interest in new satellite spectrum, won’t reveal specific locations

Two BCE Inc. subsidiaries, Telesat Canada and Bell ExpressVu LP, have expressed interest in developing new broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) spectrum that will become available in the spring of 2007. The two companies are responding to DGRB-003-02, an Industry Canada call for expressions of interest in orbital positions using the BSS band in the 17.3-17.8 GHz range (RoW, June 11/02). While ExpressVu indicated that it would be interested in using the spectrum resources in the 82 degrees west and 91 degrees west orbital positions, Telesat has yet to identify the positions in which it is interested. ExpressVu also indicated in its expression of interest that it has no plans to become a satellite carrier at this time. Telesat states in its submission that it will notify the department of its specific interests before the end of the month. It is reasonable to predict that Telesat will apply for access to BSS spectrum in the two locations where ExpressVu expressed interest since Telesat operates Nimiq in the 91 slot and has been awarded the use of the 82 position. It would also seem likely that it would also apply for access to the 17 GHz band in the orbital locations to which it already holds licences. "ExpressVu has a strong relationship with Telesat and anticipates that it would make an arrangement for the new BSS frequencies in these orbital bands similar to the business arrangement that it now has with Telesat in respect of the Nimiq satellites," ExpressVu writes in its submission. Even when Telesat makes its selections known to the department, it won’t make public its specific choices, citing competitive intelligence as the reason for keeping this information confidential. "Release of this information into the public domain would compromise Telesat’s plans or bestow an undue competitive advantage on prospective competitors and/or weaken Telesat’s negotiating position with potential business partners or customers, while providing little or no public benefit," it writes in its Aug. 1 submission. The Canadian government has applied to the International Telecommunication Union to gain access to this band in 14 different orbital positions, nine of which are already under Canadian control and the remaining five being new slots. The orbital locations are licensed on a first-come first-served basis. In its submission, Telesat writes that it has significant experience in the satellite area, highlighting its current holdings. It has been licensed to operate three fixed satellite service earth stations (Anik E1, E2 and F1) and one direct broadcast service (DBS) satellite (Nimiq). It also has received an approval in principle for the Anik F2 bird. Telesat has been awarded the use of the 118.7 degrees west orbital location in the C/Ku-bands and a second DBS slot at 82 degrees west. "Telesat’s plans to operate facilities in the new bands would allow the company to augment and expand its range of satellite facility offerings. This in turn would allow Telesat to achieve scale and scope economies and thus better enable the company to compete against the much bigger foreign satellite operators, both in liberalized domestic and international markets," Telesat’s VP corporate affairs Paul Bush writes in the company’s submission. ExpressVu notes in its expression of interest that it would be a logical choice for the department in awarding access to this spectrum in the 82 and 91 degrees west orbital slots. "ExpressVu would be in a unique position to ensure the management of the conflicing bands to maintain the integrity of its existing business, and to optimize the value and use of the new frequencies." Canada and the United States have also applied for access to this spectrum in the same orbital position, potentially setting up a battle betweent the two countries. Both have applied for the 17 GHz band in the 91 degress west orbital slot, which is currently occupied by the Nimiq bird (RoW, June 24/02).

Telesat shows interest in new satellite spectrum, won’t reveal specific locations

News | 08/19/2002 4:00 am EDT

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