Optus Satellite and low-earth orbit satellite operator Telesat announced they will be collaborating in live, over-the-air trials on Telesat’s recently launched LEO satellite.
Telesat’s first Phase 1 LEO satellite – launched in January this year – is now undergoing commissioning and orbit-raising. Telesat’s LEO constellation, once fully deployed, is designed to deliver low-latency, fiber-like broadband for commercial and government customers throughout the world, including in Australia and New Zealand. The initial constellation will consist of approximately 120 satellites by 2021 providing full global coverage – Telesat says it is evaluating options to expand its system beyond this initial configuration.
Phase 1 testing will enable Optus to experience the advantages of Telesat’s system – including ultra-low latency and high speeds – and assess the role Telesat LEO can play in Optus’ next-generation satellite networks.
Optus and Telesat will work together, using Telesat equipment and existing Optus infrastructure, to perform the testing at the Optus satellite teleport in Belrose, NSW, and at other locations in Australia. Optus and Telesat will also explore a longer-term joint services and market development plan, specific to Telesat’s LEO initiative, for Optus’ customer segments and regions of interest. Both parties look to leverage their combined commercial and technical capabilities to transform the communications experience.
“Satellite has long played a key role in meeting the important networking requirements of our enterprise and government customers across Australia and New Zealand,” said Paul Sheridan, vice president of Optus Satellite.
Sheridan added that Telesat’s LEO design “has the potential to become a core component in Optus’ future infrastructure.”
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