Vanguard Magazine

28 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com G A M E C H A N G E R See the full interview online Q How has innovation become engrained in your organization's culture and how is it being optimized? From day one of Telesat's existence, we have been innovating to meet connectivi- ty requirements of Canadians. Telesat has achieved several satellite "industry firsts:" Telesat launched the world's first domes- tic communications satellite in geosta- tionary orbit, the first Ku-band satellite with the first direct-to-home (DTH) ser- vices, the first Ka-band consumer broad- band satellite network, and even the first 5G backhaul link over Low Earth Orbit (LEO). We are constantly evaluating cutting-edge technologies to develop in- novative solutions that address evolving government and enterprise requirements. Q What was your most challenging moment? In 2022 we experienced an anomaly with our Anik F2 geostationary satel- lite, which was one of our highest uti- lized satellites in North America. As a result, the satellite had to transition to inclined orbit operations sooner than expected, which required us to quickly identify alternative solutions to keep mission-critical connectivity services online. It was a big challenge, but we successfully transitioned all enterprise and government networks and main- tained continuity of services. Q What was your A-HA moment or epiphany that you think will resonate most with our reader, tell us that story. To me, the A-HA moment is the evolu- tion of our capabilities with our prolif- erated LEO constellation. We are build- ing in capabilities to ensure robustness, resiliency and redundancy, with addi- tional flexibility and cybersecurity fea- tures to meet stringent requirements of enterprise and defence customers. This proliferated architecture provides resil- iency that is not possible to replicate in geostationary orbits. If a LEO satellite experiences an anomaly, service delivery will not be impacted. Customers will al- ways have multiple satellites in view to guarantee continuity of services. We are also integrating unique se- curity and data routing capabilities for defence customers to ensure data sover- eignty in Canada – as well as any point across the globe where our armed forc- es are deployed. Recognizing that our customers will have multiple levels of redundancy for their critical services with Telesat Light- speed was my A-HA moment. Q What are some of the biggest challenges in your industry sector? First, there's the fact that space is a diffi- cult environment. Companies invest bil- lions of dollars in building and launching satellites into space. Every component on board must function reliably under extreme conditions—including intense temperatures, radiation, microgravity, and the absence of oxygen—to ensure the satellite's survival and mission suc- cess. Secondly, our LEO satellites are de- signed for a 10-year lifespan, which offers stability for customer services and peace of mind that their antenna investments will have a long life as well. But with the pace of innovation, we also must ensure that our technology doesn't become an- tiquated. To address this, we're using software-based solutions so we can in- crementally add capabilities and features over the lifetime of each satellite and continually evolve and innovate. Q What is your parting piece of advice? Satellite technology has been available for 60 years but should not be dismissed as "legacy" technology. Much like the progression from 2G to 3G and now 5G in wireless networks, each new genera- tion of satellite technology delivers trans- formative leaps in performance and capa- bility. They are the only truly ubiquitous connectivity solution, capable of deliver- ing coverage to every point on earth, and they will continue operating when terres- trial networks are compromised, either intentionally or via natural disasters. MICHÈLE BECK SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CANADIAN SALES, TELESAT

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