The Ottawa-based satellite firm conducted a test that supported internet browsing and simultaneous video streaming of up to 8K resolution with a lag of 18 to 40 milliseconds between when the signal is sent and when it is received. The test was conducted with Vodafone, the U.K.-based telecommunications company, and the University of Surrey. (The Logic)

Talking point: The test shows that Telesat’s low-Earth-orbit satellites can handle the speeds necessary for 5G technology and with a low enough lag to be used for commercial applications. It comes as the company is looking to award $3 billion in contracts to build the satellites, drawing interest from industry heavyweights including Airbus, Maxar Technologies and Thales. Telesat is racing against U.S. firms OneWeb, SpaceX and Facebook to get a constellation of satellites up to capture part of the US$127.7-billion market for satellite-based broadband and television. Depending on how Telesat awards the contracts, there could be a number of high-tech manufacturing jobs coming to Canada. Airbus, Maxar and Thales have all said they’d be willing to set up factories in the country to help win the bid.