EMS-designed "switch in the sky" paves the way for future broadband
    services

    OTTAWA,March 24 2005 --
Telesat, one of the world's leading satellite
operators, today announced that it has completed in-orbit testing of a
next-generation digital broadband on-board signal processor on Anik F2, one of
the largest commercial communications satellites ever launched. The successful
tests of this "broadband switch in the sky" will now enable Telesat to
undertake follow-on applications development work.
    The experimental "SpaceMux" on-board processor (OBP), designed and
supplied by the Space & Technology/Montreal division of EMS Technologies, Inc.
(NASDAQ: ELMG), makes it possible to provide direct user-to-user broadband
connectivity for "spot-beam" systems such as the one deployed at Ka-band on
Telesat's Anik F2 satellite.
    "Anik F2's 'broadband switch in the sky' is a major technological
achievement," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's President and CEO. "Telesat's
partnership with EMS Technologies will help us develop the advanced broadband
services of the future."
    Spot beam systems are the way of the future for low-cost broadband
two-way communications via satellite. The SpaceMux OBP has been designed to
permit direct user-to-user communications links for such spot beam systems.
Rather than communicating through gateways on the ground, users that have a
need to communicate directly with other satellite users can do so through the
satellite OBP. The system will now undergo further testing involving a variety
of applications using two Anik F2 Ka-band beams, one in the Toronto-Ottawa
area and the other in the Vancouver area.
    The SpaceMux technology demonstration payload of the Anik F2 satellite
was developed as part of a public-private partnership involving the Canadian
Space Agency (CSA) and the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC). "The
aim of the partnership is to foster the development and testing of new
technologies addressing the Government of Canada's commitment to delivering
cost-effective, two-way broadband, Internet, tele-health, tele-learning and
e-government services to commercial clients and Canadians wherever they live,"
said Gilles Leclerc, Director General, Space Technologies of the Canadian
Space Agency.
    "CRC is proud to have been able to provide expert advice and technical
guidance to our partners on this project," said Veena Rawat, Acting-President
of the Communications Research Centre Canada. "The successful completion of
in-orbit testing for this new broadband technology is an important step
forward in the development, testing and experimentation of new broadband
applications between remote locations."
    Manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems, Telesat's Anik F2 was launched
on Arianespace's Ariane 5G rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French
Guiana, on July 17, 2004. Anik F2 makes history as the first satellite to
fully commercialize the Ka-frequency band - a breakthrough satellite
communications technology for delivering cost-effective, two-way broadband
services.
    Telesat's Anik F2 payload consists of 38 Ka-band transponders, 32 Ku-band
transponders and 24 C-band transponders. The satellite, operating in
geostationary orbit from the orbital position at 111.1 degrees West Longitude,
will provide service for at least 15 years.

    About Telesat (www.telesat.com)

    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.

    About EMS Technologies, Inc. (www.ems-t.comm)

    EMS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMG) is a leading innovator in the
design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions, and
focuses its unique range of advanced technologies on the needs of broadband
and mobile information users. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, has
almost 1,700 workers worldwide, and operates manufacturing facilities in
Atlanta, Montreal, Ottawa and Brazil.

    About the Canadian Space Agency

    Established in 1989, and with its headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec, the
Canadian Space Agency is responsible for coordinating all civil, space-related
policies and programs related to science and technology research, industrial
development, and international cooperation on behalf of the Government of
Canada. The Canadian Space Agency directs its resources and activities through
four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite
Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning. With the overall
responsibility for advancing Canada's space policy and programs, the Canadian
Space Agency leverages international cooperation to champion world-class
scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.

    About the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC)

    CRC, an agency of Industry Canada, is the Canadian government's primary
laboratory for research and development (R&D) in advanced telecommunications.
R&D is used for public policy purposes and to strengthen the Canadian economy
through technology and knowledge transfer. Under its four research branches
(Terrestrial Wireless, Satellite Communications and Radio Propagation
Research, Broadband Network Technologies and Broadcast Technology), CRC
specializes in taking an interdisciplinary approach to longer-term R&D in
wireless systems, radio fundamentals, communication networks, photonics and
interactive multimedia. More information about CRC is available at:
www.crc.ca.



For further information: Marilynn Wright, Telesat, Tel: (613) 748-0123;
Karen Passmore (media only), Argyle Rowland Communications, (416) 968-7311,
kpassmore@argylerowland.com; Anne Wainscott-Sargent, Public Relations, EMS
Technologies Inc., (404) 435-5784, pr@ems-t.com; Graeme Maag, Public
Affairs, Space & Technology Group/Montreal, (514) 425-3079,
maag.g@ems-t.ca; David Gotlieb, Publication & Media Relations Officer,
Communications Research Centre Canada, (613) 990-4575,
david.gotlieb@crc.ca; Julie Simard, Communications Advisor, Media Relations
and Information Services, Canadian Space Agency, (450) 926-4370,
julie.simard@space.gc.ca