[Satellite TODAY 08-22-11] Canadian FSS operator Telesat has entered into a long-term contract with Colombian VSAT service provider Axesat SA, to lease capacity on Telesat’s new Telstar 14R satellite, the companies announced Aug. 19.

   Telstar 14R was launched in May to replace and expand on the services offered by the all Ku-band Telstar 14 spacecraft at the 63 degrees West orbital slot. The operator said that Telstar 14R aims to provide its customers throughout Latin America with additional capacity, improved geographic coverage and higher power.

   “Axesat has established itself as a premiere provider of VSAT services across Central America, the Andean Region, and the Galapagos Islands. The high-powered Ku-band capacity of Telstar 14R delivered by three broad beams over Latin America gives Axesat a competitive edge to meet increasing demand from their corporate customers,” Telesat Vice President of International Sales Nigel Gibson said in a statement.