Feds expand investment in Telesat Lightspeed network

By Connie Thiessen Telesat Lightspeed has received a $2.14 billion loan from the federal government to expand internet and 5G network access using space-based technology. Lightspeed is being billed as Canada’s largest ever space program, supporting 2,000 jobs across the country through Telesat and its supply chain, including satellite contractor MDA Space, which is best known for developing the Canadarm technology, the series of robotic arms used by the Canadian Space Agency. Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite networks operate 35 times closer to the Earth than traditional telecommunications satellites, taking less time to send and receive information, leading to faster internet service,...