[Satellite Today 07-29-08] Telesat has been awarded six satellite approvals-in-principle and is seeking interest from potential customers interested in developing services from the new satellite slots, Telesat announced July 28.
    Four slots — 72.5 degrees West, 82 degrees West, 86.5 degrees West and 118.7 degrees West — are designated for the 17-gigahertz broadcast satellite service band. A slot at 111.1 degrees West is slated for Ku-band and 118.7 degrees West will host Ka-band services.
    “We appreciate Industry Canada’s diligence in completing this important spectrum award process,” Dan Goldberg, president and CEO of Telesat, said in a statement. “Telesat intends to develop the spectrum associated with all of these approvals. Working with our customers to understand how we can meet their business requirements is a critical step in our planning process.”
    The approvals were part of 12 new licenses announced by Industry Canada in June 2007. Ciel Satellite Group received approval from the Canadian government to develop the other slots.