Canadian Coast Guard Taps Telesat to Design Satellite-based Digital Communications System

OTTAWA, ON, March 22, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ¾ The Canada government has selected Telesat to design, supply, commission and operate a satellite-based digital communications system for selected vessels in the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleet.

Once implemented, the Vessel Satellite Communications System (VSCS) will provide e-mail applications, voice-over-Internet (VoIP) capability, and Canadian satellite television.

“By collaborating on the Vessel Satellite Communications System, Telesat and the Canadian Coast Guard will demonstrate the tangible benefits of state-of-the-art satellite communications - both on land and at sea,” said Larry Boisvert, Telesat’s president and CEO.

The VSCS project is a government initiative to maintain Canada’s international leadership in fluid cross-government services, proactive communications and education of its employees and citizens.

“This is significant for folks who serve at sea for long periods of time,” said Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard. “E-mail and TV news are so important to help people stay in touch with their families and events from home. I’m glad that we can invest in our employees in this way.”

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