Canada's Bold Leap to Space Internet Independence

By Elke Porter | WBN News Canada | January 5, 2026
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For years, U.S. companies like Starlink have led the satellite internet market. Now, Canada is pushing back with a major national initiative. Telesat, a Canadian satellite operator founded in 1969, is developing Lightspeed—a constellation of 198 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that will be fully Canadian-funded, manufactured, owned, and operated.

The Canadian federal government supports the project with a $2.14 billion CAD loan (part of broader funding including provincial contributions), positioning it as a step toward "digital sovereignty" and reducing reliance on foreign providers for critical connectivity.

Speed Through Proximity

Traditional geostationary satellites orbit at about 35,000 km, causing noticeable latency. Lightspeed satellites will operate at approximately 1,300 km altitude, enabling low-latency performance suitable for gaming, real-time applications, and secure communications.

Beyond Consumer Streaming

While improving rural access is a key goal, Lightspeed prioritizes enterprise and government needs, including secure links for Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic, aviation, maritime, and remote operations—ensuring reliable coverage across Canada's vast territory.

Building It Here

Telesat partnered with MDA Space (the Canadian company behind the Canadarm) to build the satellites in domestic facilities in Quebec. The project is creating thousands of high-tech jobs and driving significant economic investment in Canada.Launches are expected to begin in late 2026 (starting with pathfinder satellites), with initial services in 2027 and full global rollout following.

This positions Canada as a key player in the LEO space race while bolstering national digital infrastructure.(Note: As of early 2026, the project remains on track per Telesat's latest updates, with ongoing ground infrastructure development and partnerships.)

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