Nimiq 2 means major expansion of capacity for direct-to-home satellite TV.

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, KAZAKHSTAN, December 30, 2002 – Telesat announced today the successful launch of Nimiq 2 – a new satellite that will expand the frontiers of direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television across Canada. Nimiq 2 will carry hundreds of channels and expand services such as high-definition television, pay-per-view programming, specialty channels and interactive television. Telesatís customer on Nimiq 2 will be Bell ExpressVu, which will use the satellite to expand and enhance its DTH services.

“Telesat’s Nimiq 2 means Canadians will have more choice in information and entertainment, and exciting new services from coast to coast,î said Larry Boisvert, Telesatís president and CEO. ìMore than 1.3 million Canadians already subscribe to direct-to-home satellite television using Nimiq 1, and with Nimiq 2 in service that number is sure to keep growing.”

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Nimiq 2 was launched on a Proton rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 4:17 a.m. local time. International Launch Services (ILS) provided mission management for the launch of Nimiq 2, which is Telesatís fourteenth successful satellite launch.

Telesat will take possession of Nimiq 2 by February 2003 and will turn the capacity over to Bell ExpressVu by March 1. At that time, Nimiq 1, Canada’s first direct broadcast satellite, will become the back-up for Nimiq 2, making Canada’s satellite infrastructure more secure than ever before.

DTH is one of the fastest-growing consumer products in history. Telesat has been instrumental in creating and expanding Canadian capacity for these services.

About Telesat
Telesat is a world leader in satellite operations and systems management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Today, Telesat competes with the world’s leading satellite fleets in providing telecommunications and broadcast distribution services throughout the Americas. Telesat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., one of the world’s premier communications companies.

For more information:

Stuart MacMillan
Telesat Canada
(613) 748-0123

Dan Tisch
Argyle Rowland Communications
(416) 968-7311 ext. 223
dtisch@argylerowland.com