OTTAWA, December 17, 1996 — The Minister of Industry has received two proposals to provide Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) facilities to service the Canadian market.

These applicants are seeking consideration under the“fast track” licensing procedure in the Call for Applications to Develop and Operate Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Facilities in the 91° West Longitude Orbital Position to Serve Canadian Broadcasting Needs which was issued on November 7, 1996.

Applications were received from the Borealis Space Corporation and Telesat Canada.

The first step for Industry Canada will be to determine if the applications meet the criteria for “fast track” licensing.

Until that decision is made, the Call for Applications, which also includes a February 28, 1997 deadline for longer-term DBS proposals, remains open.

For more information, please contact:

Jan Skora
Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch
(613) 990-4817
skora.jan@ic.gc.ca

Chantal Beaumier
Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch
(613) 998-3819
beaumier.chantal@ic.gc.ca