Cancom, CSL Infrastructure Management Inc., Capital Communications CDPQ Inc. and Hougen Communications Have Finalized the Creation of RegionalVision,.

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 1996--CANADIAN SATELLITE(TSE, ME: SAT )

A National Consortium Aimed at Offering Services in 127 Distant Regions Across Canada 

The four partners of the new pan-Canadian consortium RegionalVision have finalized the details of their partnership that is intended to deliver the new LMCS (Local Multipoint Communications Systems) technology to 127 communities in remote and underserved regions of Canada.

This consortium brings together companies and individuals who are leaders in their respective line of expertise. They are Cancom (Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.), Canada's leading provider of commercial satellites services; CSL Infrastructure Management Inc., a Canadian leader in the management of communications infrastructure; Capital Communications CDPQ Inc., one of the most important investment companies in the field of communications and telecommunications in the country; and Hougen Communications, a leading business in the Yukon.

On May 15, RegionalVison applied to Industry Canada for a licence ot build LMCS that will use the 28 GHz frequency range for the first time to deliver a complete range of digital and analogue services. This frequency was made available for exploitation by the government of Canada in February of this year. The consortium expects the implementation of their proposed system would be spread over five years, it receives a licence to move ahead.

This new distribution system uses small, cellular-like transmitters to provide an array of video, audio and data services to communities and businesses that will provide them with a greater choice of integrated services beyond those already offered by the existing cable and telephone networks. It should also stimulate economic growth and job creation in a number of remote communities where investments will be made.

Cancom is a leading provider of digital satellite services in Canada, trading on the Toronto and Montreal Stock Exchanges. It was created in 1981 to bring broadcasting choices and services to the remote and underserved communities of Canada and presently delivers services to over 2,600 small cable operators who in turn serve 3,6 million households across the country.

CSL Infrastructure Management Inc. is owned 50/50 by the Bracknell Corporation through Clientech Management Services Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, and by SNC-Lavalin Inc. CSL provides infrastructure management, installation and maintenance services in all regions of Canada and abroad.

Capital Communications CPDQ, a member of the Caisse Private Investment Group, manages an investment portfolio in the fields of communications and telecommunications with a market value on December 31, 1995 of $621 million.

Hougen Communications is lead by Rolf Hougen, a Whitehorse business leader and entrepreneur with invaluable experience in the provision of services to Northern and remote communities. He is a past president of the Canada Chamber of Commerce (1989-90), an Officer of the Order of Canada and serves on the board of several national boards and organizations.

CONTACT: Cancom

Duncan McEwan, 905/272-6602

905/272-3399 (Fax)

[e-mail]

or

Patricia Dumas, 905/272-6603

or

[phone]

or

President and CEO 

403/667-4222

or

CSL Infrastructure Management Inc.

Francois Depelteau, 514/876-4000

or

Capital Communications CDPQ Inc.

Kevin Dougherty, 514/847-2315