Telesat purchases land plot in Ont. for landing station

Executive Summary

• Telesat Corp. has purchased a land plot on Laforest Road in Timmins, Ontario, to develop a landing station for its Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.
• The site will connect data from the satellite network to terrestrial points of presence and fiber infrastructure in Northern Ontario, supporting the company's goal to bridge the digital divide in rural and remote communities.
• Site preparation is currently underway, with construction of satellite antennas and networking equipment scheduled to commence in the spring of 2026.

Key Details

• Transaction: Purchase of a land plot on Laforest Road from the City of Timmins.
• Purpose: Development of a terrestrial landing station to connect Telesat Lightspeed LEO satellite data to terrestrial fiber networks.
• Strategic Benefits:
  • Extends terrestrial telecom network reach to rural and remote communities.
  • Supports Arctic protection and Canadian sovereignty.
  • Provides high-performance broadband for energy, mining, aviation, and maritime industries.
  • Ensures data reliability through built-in site redundancy and diversity.
• Location Advantages: Timmins offers superior telecommunications infrastructure, including a 2,200-kilometer-long haul fiber network, reliable hydroelectric infrastructure, and proximity to Southern Ontario and western Quebec.
• Construction Timeline:
  • Current Status: Site preparation and land clearing are underway.
  • Construction Start: Spring 2026 for satellite antennas and networking equipment.

Notable Quotes

• Asit Tandon, Chief Network and Information Officer, Telesat: "Timmins offers access to superior telecommunications infrastructure... These features, plus easy accessibility to Southern Ontario and western Quebec, make Timmins an ideal location to meet the stringent resiliency requirements for our terrestrial landing station network."
• Mayor Michelle Boileau, City of Timmins: "Telesat's investment highlights the strength of our city's infrastructure and our position as a hub for innovation in Northern Ontario... This project represents new opportunities for our community and reinforces that Timmins is on the map, not just in Ontario, but on a global scale."
• Brenda Camirand, Director of Economic Development, City of Timmins: "This project marks a significant milestone for Timmins, reinforcing our commitment to supporting innovative industries and attracting investment that drives economic growth."