Partners join to launch Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network

    SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON,Jan. 19 2005 --
Telesat, one of the world's leading
satellite operators, joined Industry Canada and Aboriginal partners from
Ontario, Québec and Manitoba today to launch the Northern Indigenous Community
Satellite Network (NICSN). The network will bring telehealth, distance
education, video conferencing and other critical services to 30 remote
communities.
    As part of its ongoing commitment to enhance communications services to
rural and remote regions, Telesat provided two C-band satellite channels, or
transponders, for the federal government to use to serve public institutions
in remote areas of Canada. The NICSN will use this valuable capacity to
provide high-quality video, audio and data communications to participating
communities.
    "In making this satellite capacity available, Telesat is committed to
helping connect Canadians to broadband communications - no matter where they
live," said Paul Bush, Telesat's vice president of broadcasting and corporate
development. "Through the successful partnership between local Aboriginal
leaders, Industry Canada and Telesat, this community-owned network has become
a reality."
    In 1999, Telesat began working with Keewaytinook Okimakanak in Northern
Ontario to explore ways of delivering broadband services to the satellite-
served community of Fort Severn. This relationship expanded over the ensuing
years as KO took on the challenge of managing Industry Canada's Aboriginal
SMART Communities Demonstration Project. The introduction of the federal
government's National Satellite Initiative in 2003 contributed further to the
development of NICSN by providing the additional transponder space that
allowed Northern Manitoba and Nunavik to join the network.
    Telesat's contribution of capacity represents an investment in NICSN of
$20 million. This has been complemented by a government investment, through
FedNor, of more than $12 million for community/satellite infrastructure.
    Bush was joined today at the festivities in Sioux Lookout by The
Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State for FedNor, and the Chiefs and
Mayors of the 30 communities served by NICSN.

    About Telesat (www.telesat.ca)
    Telesat is a pioneer and world leader in satellite operations and systems
management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first
domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Today,
Telesat competes with other top international satellite fleets in providing
telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the Americas, and is a
leading consultant, operator and partner in satellite ventures around the
globe. Telesat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., a leading
communications company with shares listed in the United States, Canada and
Europe.



For further information: Dan Tisch or Karen Passmore, Argyle Rowland
Communications, (416) 968-7311, dtisch@argylerowland.com,
kpassmore@argylerowland.com