TORONTO – Telesat Canada will install the needed terrestrial repeaters that for Canadian Satellite Radio, the company announced this morning.
Once the national service is launched this fall, CSR will require a number of repeaters on the ground across Canada to make the digital sound flawless from coast-to-coast. Satellite is a line-of-sight technology, so repeaters are required due to tall buildings and other potential satellite signal blockages. The repeaters are part of CSR’s $100 million start-up spend.
"Unlike cellular phones, which only work off cellular towers in certain areas, CSR will implement repeaters to enhance the national satellite signal that covers Canada to make sure Canadians hear our signal in crystal-clear digital format, in both urban and rural markets," said Stephen Tapp, CSR president and COO, in the press release.
However, also unlike cellular phones (or AM or FM radio for that matter), the satellite signal won’t bounce around and find the receiver like a phone call or over the air radio will – the satellite receiver must be in line-of-sight with the satellite.
"We are thrilled to be working with CSR in this exciting new product for Canadians," said Paul Bush, Telesat vice-president. "We were with XM from day one as part of their launch in the USA. And now we are part of the future of satellite radio in our home country with CSR."
