On July 24, 2019, Telesat announced that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Canada (“GoC”) regarding a partnership intended to ensure access to affordable high-speed internet connectivity across rural and remote areas of Canada through the development of the Telesat LEO constellation. The partnership is expected to generate CAD 1.2 billion in revenue for Telesat over 10 years, which includes a contribution of up to CAD 600 million from the GoC.
In May 2019, Telesat entered into an agreement with the GoC pursuant to which the GoC will contribute up to CAD 85 million through July 31, 2023 to support the development of the Telesat LEO constellation. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Telesat received CAD 10.2 million relating to the agreement from the GoC.
The satellite services business is capital intensive and the build-out of a satellite fleet requires substantial time and investment. Once the investment in a satellite is made, the incremental costs to maintain and operate the satellite are relatively low over the life of the satellite, with the exception of in-orbit insurance. Telesat has been able to generate a large contractual revenue backlog by entering into long-term contracts with some of its customers, in some cases for all or substantially all of a satellite’s orbital maneuver life. Historically, this has resulted in revenue from the satellite services business being fairly predictable.
Telesat’s desirable spectrum rights, commitment to providing the highest level of customer service, deep technical expertise and culture of innovation have enabled it to successfully develop its business to date. Leveraging these strengths and building on its existing contractual revenue backlog, Telesat’s focus is on profitably growing its business by increasing the utilization of its in-orbit satellites and, in a disciplined manner, deploying expansion satellite capacity where strong market demand is anticipated. In 2018, Telesat launched a Ka-band satellite into low earth orbit in furtherance of its plans to develop a state-of-the-art, high capacity LEO constellation that will deliver transformative, low latency, fiber-like broadband to commercial and government users worldwide.
Telesat believes that it is well positioned to serve its customers and the markets in which it participates. Telesat actively pursues opportunities to develop new satellites, particularly in conjunction with current or prospective customers who will commit to long-term service agreements prior to the time the satellite construction contract is signed. However, while Telesat regularly pursues these opportunities, it does not procure additional or replacement satellites until it believes there is a demonstrated need and a sound business plan for such satellite capacity.
In 2020, Telesat remains focused on increasing utilization of its existing satellites, the development of its global LEO constellation, identifying and pursuing opportunities to invest in other expansion of satellite capacity and leveraging the value of its spectrum rights, all while maintaining operating discipline.
Telesat’s operating results are subject to fluctuations as a result of exchange rate variations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, approximately 53.3% of Telesat’s revenues, 45.9% of its operating expenses, 100% of its interest expense and the majority of its capital expenditures were denominated in U.S. dollars. The most significant impact of variations in the exchange rate is on the U.S. dollar denominated indebtedness and cash and short term investments. As of September 30, 2020, Telesat’s U.S. dollar denominated debt totaled $2.84 billion. As of September 30, 2020, a five percent increase (decrease) in the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar on financial assets and liabilities would have increased (decreased) Telesat’s net income by approximately $121.6 million. This analysis assumes all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.
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We own 56% of XTAR, LLC (“XTAR”) a joint venture between us and Hisdesat Servicios Estrategicos, S.A. (“Hisdesat”) of Spain. Prior to July 1, 2020, XTAR owned and operated an X-band satellite, XTAR–EUR (the “Satellite”) located at the 29° E.L. orbital slot (“the “Orbital Slot”). In addition, prior to July 1, 2020, XTAR leased from Hisdesat 7.2 72MHz X-band transponders on the Spainsat satellite located at 30° W.L. (the “Transponder Lease”). For services provided by Loral, XTAR, until December 31, 2013, was charged a quarterly management fee under a management agreement with Loral (the “Loral Management Agreement”). As of December 31, 2019, the amount due to Loral under the Loral Management Agreement was $6.6 million, and we had an allowance of $6.6 million against this receivable.