Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most
innovative satellite operators, and ThinKom Solutions, Inc., a
leading designer and manufacturer of high performance satcom
antennas, today announced an expanded development partnership to
certify ThinKom’s ThinAir Ka2517 antenna for the Telesat Lightspeed
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network.
The multi-year agreement calls for the organizations to
cooperate on the integration and certification of the Ka2517
antenna with an airborne modem to enable communications across the
Telesat Lightspeed Ka-band LEO network.
“ThinKom is keen to extend its position as the proven leader in
airborne, multi-constellation, multi-orbit satellite terminal
technology,” said Bill Milroy, ThinKom’s CTO and co-founder. “We
bring exactly what it takes, in terms of spectral efficiency, scan
volume, and rigorous regulatory compliance, in order to fully
unlock the unique constellation characteristics and advantages of
the Telesat Lightspeed network. We are indeed eager to see airlines
and their passengers benefit from the addition of this
high-throughput, low latency global network.”
Telesat estimates that its enterprise-class constellation,
paired with the Ka2517 antenna, will deliver over 1 Gbps to the
aircraft. Telesat Lightspeed can dynamically allocate multiple-Gbps
of capacity to areas with high demand, such as congested airport
hubs or busy flight routes. This level of connectivity enables
robust gate-to-gate, real-time communications for a superior
inflight connectivity experience.
ThinKom and Telesat have been formally cooperating on terminal
development since the 2021 signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding– which included validating the Ka2517’s ability to
seamlessly switch between satellites across multiple orbital
planes. With the Telesat Lightspeed satellite manufacturing program
now underway, satellite launches are scheduled to begin in 2026,
with Ka2517 certification expected to be finalized before global
service availability scheduled to commence in 2027.
Over 800 ThinAir terminals will be deployed on commercial
aircraft by the end of ‘24 with the capability to seamlessly add
the Telesat Lightspeed network to their supported communications
pathways. As the terminal of choice for the Airbus HBCplus Ka-band
linefit program, ThinKom anticipates installation of the Ka2517 on
up to one thousand more aircraft between now and activation of
Telesat Lightspeed services. Additionally, ThinKom is pursuing
direct linefit with Boeing, which will enable hundreds of
additional Ka2517 installations.
“Airlines now have the ability to future-proof their inflight
connectivity hardware investments when they select ThinKom’s
proven, high-performance Ka2517 antenna,” stated Dave Wendling,
Telesat’s Chief Technical Officer. “With a relatively simple modem
kit installation, airlines will be able to seamlessly access or
transition to Telesat Lightspeed connectivity for ubiquitous
coverage and unsurpassed service.”
Media Contacts:
Greg OttoThinKom Solutions Inc.+1 310 802 4507
Jetway Communications for ThinKom SolutionsMaryann Simson+44
7821 1499797
W2 Communications for TelesatTelesat@w2comm.com
About ThinKom
ThinKom Solutions, Inc., is a leading provider of innovative,
ultra-low-profile broadband antenna solutions for commercial and
business aviation applications, delivering fast, resilient, and
reliable connectivity “from every orbit to every seat.” The
ThinAir® product line delivers compact, affordable Ku- and Ka-band
options suitable for installation on planes ranging from business
jets to super-jumbos. ThinAir antennas consume less power while
delivering high spectral efficiency, reducing recurring satellite
costs. Packaged in a low-drag design to save fuel and reduce
emissions, ThinAir’s proven, proprietary, patented solutions are
trusted by leading inflight connectivity providers and airline
customers around the globe. Learn more about ThinKom at
www.thinkom.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Telesat
Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and
industry-leading customer service, Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT)
is one of the largest and most innovative global satellite
operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its customers to
deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle the world’s
most complex communications challenges, providing powerful
advantages that improve their operations and drive profitable
growth.
Continuously innovating to meet the connectivity demands of the
future, Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
satellite network, will be the first and only LEO network optimized
to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom, government, maritime
and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed will redefine global
satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity
links with fibre-like speeds. For updates on Telesat, follow us
@Telesat on X, LinkedIn, or visit www.telesat.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor
This news release contains statements that are not based on
historical fact and are “forward-looking statements’’ within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
Canadian securities laws. When used herein, statements which are
not historical in nature, or which contain the words “will,”
“expected,” “can,” “scheduled,” “anticipates,” or similar
expressions, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may
differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks
and uncertainties. All statements made in this press release are
made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this
release. Telesat Corporation undertakes no obligation to update the
information made in this release in the event facts or
circumstances subsequently change after the date of this press
release.
These forward-looking statements are based on Telesat
Corporation’s current expectations and are subject to a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Telesat
Corporation’s control, are difficult to predict, and could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
forecasted in the forward-looking statements. There are numerous
risks and uncertainties associated with Telesat’s business and the
Telesat Lightspeed constellation. Known risks and uncertainties
include but are not limited to: inflation and rising interest
rates; Telesat’s ability to enter into definitive funding
agreements with the company’s Canadian federal and provincial
government partners, and to meet the funding conditions of those
agreements and of its vendor financing; technological hurdles,
including our and our contractors’ development and deployment of
the new technologies required to complete the constellation in time
to meet our schedule, or at all; the availability of services and
components from our and our contractors’ supply chains;
competition; risks associated with domestic and foreign government
regulation, including access to sufficient orbital spectrum to be
able to deliver services effectively and access to sufficient
geographic markets in which to sell those services; Telesat’s
ability to develop significant commercial and operational
capabilities; risks associated with operating satellites and
providing satellite services, including satellite construction or
launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired
satellite performance; and volatility in exchange rates. The
foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors
should review the other risk factors discussed in Telesat
Corporation’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended
December 31, 2022, that was filed on March 29, 2023, with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”), and may be
accessed on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/ and SEDAR’s
website at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ as well as our subsequent
reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC and also available on
SEDAR.
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