The deal, whose financial details were not disclosed, will give Paradigm full access to X-band communications – a frequency commonly used for radars in the defence industry.
Anik G1 will give Paradigm a field-of-view over Canada, North America, South America and part of the Pacific Ocean, making communications possible in those areas.
Paradigm is already a client of the Canadian Department of National Defence, the British Ministry of Defence and others, using both its own satellites and leases like the one just inked with Telesat.
“Our decision to incorporate a unique X-band payload on Anik G1, and Paradigm’s decision to lease the full payload for the satellite’s lifetime, represent the type of innovative thinking about new market opportunities that has driven the success of both companies," stated Dan Goldberg, the president and chief executive of the Ottawa-based company.
"It is gratifying to know that the capabilities of Anik G1 will provide fixed and mobile services to Canada’s DND and other allied civil and military agencies.”
Anik G1 will work in "geostationary" orbit, hovering in approximately the same spot over the Earth's surface, upon launching some time in the second half of 2012.
Telesat previously sold access to Shaw Direct on Anik G1's Ku-band frequency, which is expected to let Shaw offer more video content and programming for its subscribers.
Anik is a 40-year-old line of satellites that has offered television, communications and other services to a number of firms over the decades.
Telesat operates in Canadian dollars. In August, after it posted a net loss of $72 million in its second quarter of 2010 compared with a $187 million profit at the same time last year, analysts asked Mr. Goldberg if he was considering a foreign takeover as most of the loss was due to foreign exchange changes.
Mr. Goldberg did not disclose if directors in his firm was considering it, noting only that under Investment Canada Act rules, "we would have to demonstrate that the change in ownership, in control, has a net benefit in Canada."
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