Telesat is a Canadian satellite communications company and operator, providing connectivity solutions to telecom, government, and enterprise clients globally. They are currently developing Telesat Lightspeed, a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of 198 satellites designed for high-speed, low-latency broadband services. Telesat partners with companies like MDA Space, Orange, and Intellian for satellite manufacturing, terrestrial infrastructure, and user terminals. The company aims to begin launching satellites in 2026, with the constellation fully operational by 2027.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Telesat has multi-year agreements with commercial airlines and maritime logistics operators for Lightspeed capacity.
Telesat sees growing importance in space-to-space communications and interoperability between constellations.
Telesat remains a service provider that procures satellites and user terminals from third parties.
Telesat is adding military Ka-Band capabilities to its upcoming Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation.
Telesat is adding 500 MHz of Ka-band military spectrum to the first 156 Lightspeed satellites.
Telesat plans to launch the first two Lightspeed production satellites in December 2026.
Space Norway confirmed on March 11 last year that it had decided in favour of Telesat Lightspeed.
Telesat plans a high-cadence Lightspeed launch schedule throughout 2027.
Telesat's overall revenues are down 27% year-on-year.
Canada's prime minister Mark Carney pitched Telesat Lightspeed to Australia's parliament on March 5.
Canada's defense industrial strategy pledges to procure satellite communications services from Canadian companies like Telesat first to meet sovereignty and security requirements.
Telesat plans to introduce Lightspeed service in spring 2028.
Mark Carney said Australia could join the Telesat Lightspeed system.
Telesat Lightspeed is expected to begin full global commercial service around the end of Q1 2028.
Telesat Lightspeed will include Mil-Ka capability by adding military spectrum adjacent to its commercial Ka-band spectrum.
MDA Space is building the first 156 Telesat Lightspeed satellites.
Telesat's new Lightspeed functionality will not affect deliveries of the satellites.
Telesat expects its Mil-Ka capability to outperform the platforms used by governments.
Telesat will add 500 megahertz of military Ka-band (Mil-Ka) spectrum to the initial 156 satellites of its Lightspeed constellation.
Telesat reported that its 2025 revenue fell 27% year over year.