OTTAWA, July 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telesat, the world's fourth-largest fixed satellite services operator, announced today that its new Telstar 11N satellite played a major role over the weekend in transmitting live video coverage across the Atlantic of President Obama's historic trip to the west African nation of Ghana. Telstar 11N is located at 37.5 degrees West and has 39 high powered Ku-band transponders that support virtually all satellite-delivered video and data applications in North America, Europe and Africa and across the Atlantic Ocean.
"The unique coverage of Telstar 11N enables leading broadcasters and other satellite service customers to seamlessly connect their African operations with North America and Europe," said Nigel Gibson, Telesat's Vice President, International Sales. "Telstar 11N's selection by major U.S. news organizations to deliver live coverage of President Obama's African visit is a strong endorsement of the satellite's capabilities, and again demonstrates Telesat's responsiveness and expertise."
The extensive African coverage of Telstar 11N promotes the implementation of broadband and video services across the continent. Telstar 11N is also the first satellite to provide full Ku-band services over the Atlantic Ocean from the Arctic Circle to the equator. Commercial and government customers in shipping and aviation are using this capability to accelerate the deployment of cost-effective, full-time mobile broadband solutions.
About Telesat (www.telesat.com)
Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, Telesat is the fourth-largest fixed satellite services operator. The company provides reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Telesat has a global state-of-the-art fleet of 11 satellites with another satellite under construction, and manages the operations of 13 additional satellites for third parties. Telesat is privately held. Its principal shareholders are Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:LORL).