COMMUNICATIONS 451 technologies were shaped and deployed to meet for receiving only television signals under selected Canada's social, cultural and economic needs. conditions. Formulation of a broadcasting policy for the The Anik B program continued exploring and 1980s took into account the changes in communica­ developing new communication services by satellite tions technology already affecting broadcasting. and tested their commercial feasibility. The depart­ Extension of broadcasting services into remote ment leased from Telesat Canada Anik B channels in communities by satellite had long been a concern of the 14/12 GHz band and provided the earth stations the department. for pilot projects. The policy sector had been developing policies to The applications were technically feasible with stimulate Canada's TV program-production industry existing equipment and were sponsored by federal so that it could fill the many channels soon to become and provincial departments and agencies, telecom­ available via satellite, fibre optics and other munications carriers, native communication associa­ technologies. Strengthening of the Canadian tions, universities and hospitals. These projects were broadcasting system in relation to its US competitors expected to lead to new commercial services on the continued as a priority. Anik C or Anik D satellites. The department encouraged the application of The space sector continued research and devel­ new computer, satellite and fibreoptic s technologies opment projects to prove the feasibility of MSAT, a in Canadian telecommunications systems, through mobile satellite system intended to provide two-way field trials and support of liberalized terminal- voice and low-rate data communications to users in attachment policies. It explored how best to such applications as oil exploration, mining, implement open-system interconnection so that trucking, shipping, business, law enforcement and telecommunications systems and terminal devices, personal communications. including computers, would be compatible, permit­ Much of the new satellite technology was ting easier transfer of information. As well as assuring developed at the department's communications Canadian capability in the production of computer- research centre (CRC) near Ottawa. A large part of communications hardware and software, the the technology was transferred to Canadian industry department studied such issues as the implications for through contracts, because one DOC objective was to Canadian sovereignty of transborder data flows, and develop Canadian capability in the supply of the impact ofthe new technologies on employment, satellites and space hardware. The department manufacturing and the whole economy. completed an $18 million expansion and upgrading of its David Florida Laboratory in September 1980 Space. The department developed, co-ordinated and to make it a fully-equipped national centre for testing implemented policies and programs for Canada in and assembly of large communications satellites and space telecommunications and encouraged Canadian aerospace subsystems. Canadian industry was able to industry to share in developing Canadian sateUite use this facility on a fee recovery basis. systems. Hermes, launched in 1976, was in its time the most DOC participates in international space ventures, powerful communications satellite in geostationary among them a satellite-aided search and rescue orbit. It was a joint venture of DOC and the US system (SARSAT) to aid in quickly locating aircraft National Aeronautics and Space Administration or ships in distress, and general studies of the (NASA). It operated in the 14/12 GHz band, where European Space Agency (ESA). Proceedings of an it was less likely to interfere with terrestrial Inuit circumpolar conference at Frobisher Bay in communications, enabling high-power transmissions July 1983 were carried by an interactive Telidon to be beamed to small, relatively inexpensive earth network linking Canada, Greenland and Denmark, terminals situated, if required, in urban areas. Alaska and other parts of the United States. Hermes ceased operations in November 1979 after Research. The department emphasized development exceeding its design lifespan by almost a year. of new technology, demonstrating it through field The Hermes program demonstrated the technical trials and encouraging Canadian industry to develop feasibility of communications services using satellites commercial applications. Studies were continued in and created awareness among potential users. spectrum research, environmental causes of signal Designed and built in Canada, it permitted DOC to noise, re-radiation problems in AM broadcasting, conduct experiments in telehealth, tele-education, mobile data communications systems, automated advanced technology, community interaction and radiotelephones, optical communications and TV broadcastingand other services provided by methods of improving rural communications. universities, hospitals, federal and provincial A $12.5 million DOC program approved in departments, native organizations and industry. November 1980 was designed to assist Canada's These experiments involved use of a large number of high-technology industry in capturing, by 1985, a earth stations and antennas ranging in diameter from significant share of markets for electronic equipment 3 m for two-way television, voice and data, to 60 cm for the automated office of the future. The program