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The National Satellite Initiative was launched in October 2003 by Industry Canada in partnership with Infrastructure Canada, and the Canadian Space Agency. It was created to make available affordable satellite capacity for the deployment of broadband services (such as tele-health, tele-education, e-commerce, etc.) to communities in the far to mid-north, and in isolated and remote areas of Canada, where satellite technology is the only practical solution.

Press releases: “Government of Canada Launches National Satellite Initiative to Provide Broadband Access to Northern And Remote Communities.”

• (Infrastructure Canada, October 5, 2003)
• (Industry Canada, October 5, 2003)

The National Satellite Initiative (NSI) is comprised of the following components:

• Industry Canada Component (C-Band Credit), which is now completed, consisted of satellite capacity from Telesat Canada’s public benefit transponder, valued at $20 million over 15 years, for the deployment of public and community-based services to remote communities. On April 15 2004, four successful candidates received a total of 28 MHz of satellite capacity, representing approximately 52 communities.
• Infrastructure Canada Component (Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF)), being delivered now, consists of $85 million managed by Infrastructure Canada to fund the acquisition of satellite capacity, and possibly common ground infrastructure, for satellite-based broadband projects in isolated and remote communities across Canada where satellite is the only practical means of providing broadband access. Funding is provided on a cost-share basis based on Infrastructure Canada’s CSIF criteria. For more information, click here for the Call for Notification of Interest.

PLEASE NOTE: This round is no longer accepting submissions.

• Canadian Space Agency Component (Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Ka-Band Northern Project), currently under development, consists of a $50 million credit of Ka-Band satellite capacity from Telesat Canada’s Anik F2 satellite for the deployment of broadband services in the northern parts of Canada. This capacity is available for public and community-based institutions in the north and far north until 2015.

Updated: 2006-11-29

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