All preparations have been completed for the July 12 launch of Anik F2, a Boeing-built [BA] high-power satellite that will deliver North America’s first commercial satellite-based consumer broadband communications service. The launch from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, is scheduled to take place at approximately 8:43 p.m. EDT (9:43 p.m. Kourou Time). Telesat Canada will use Anik F2 to provide cost-effective, two-way, high-speed Internet access to businesses and consumers from the southern continental United States to the northern reaches of Alaska and Canada. A portion of the satellite capacity will be used by U.S.-based consumer satellite startup WildBlue to provide broadband services primarily to rural U.S. customers.

Anik F2 also will open the door to new government broadband services for such applications as tele-learning, tele-health and e-services. The satellite will operate from geostationary orbit at 111.1 degrees West longitude.