CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to support its development of a centralized “pooling and sharing” system for satellite communications services by October 2022. The system will enable multiple satellite operators to offer secure communication services, such as data transmission, through a single booking system.
Satellite communications are becoming increasingly important for the security and competitiveness of countries worldwide, including in the European Union (EU). Access to services with resilient and robust security features is essential for both governmental and non-governmental organizations. However, to date, the delivery of satellite communication services has involved many different providers within a highly fragmented market.
Because of this, booking satellite communication services is a complex and cost-intensive process. This pooling & sharing system aims to serve as a platform where secure, reliable and cost-efficient satellite communications can be provided to organizations by bundling and sharing government and commercial satellite services.”
Through the 4S (Space Systems for Safety and Security) strategic line of its Telecommunication program, ESA is supporting the industry in developing innovative and competitive products, solutions and services responding to this need and more widely to market prospects in that domain.
“We are extremely pleased to enable continuous investment in the development of highly innovative space solutions and services by European and Canadian manufacturers and operators,” said Elodie Viau, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications. “ESA is committed to develop initiatives in support of the European commercial satellite telecommunications industry and generate pioneering technology in this domain for the benefit of Europe’s worldwide competitiveness. This project with CGI represents a new step of a long standing effort in that endeavour.”
The new platform will serve as the central interface between satellite communication users and service providers. It also could serve potentially as a core component for a future EU GOVSATCOM Hub that delivers communication services in other areas, including natural disaster and maritime emergency response, border surveillance, and satellite navigation.
CGI will develop the new platform in close cooperation with German technology companies AXESS Networks Solutions, IABG and IABG Teleport, as well as the Greek satellite operator Hellas Sat.
"One of CGI's core goals is to actively promote digitization in space through innovative solutions that address current challenges," adds Ulli Leibnitz, Senior Vice-President Space in Germany. “With this new platform, satellite communication requirements that governmental and non-governmental agencies have today in terms of capacity, bandwidth and security can be met quickly and effectively. This contract confirms our longstanding and successful collaboration with ESA and also demonstrates our leading role in the development of groundbreaking solutions in the space domain.”
About CGI
Founded in 1976, the CGI Group is one of the largest independent providers of IT and business process services in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other experts worldwide, CGI offers a broad portfolio of services - from strategic IT and business consulting to system integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI's principle of customer proximity and its flexible global delivery network help customers achieve success faster and digitize their organizational structures. CGI's reported sales in fiscal year 2020 are 12.16 billion Canadian dollars. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com
Contact:
Investors
Maher Yaghi
Vice-President, Investor Relations
maher.yaghi@cgi.com
+1 514-415-3651
Media
Sabine Ernst
Media Lead Germany
sabine.ernst@cgi.com
+49-151-16360469
