Norsat


Norsat International Inc. is a satellite communications company based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The company, founded in 1977, develops and produces communications technology for the transmission of data, audio and video. Norsat's primary customers are from the military, broadcast and maritime industries. In 2011, Norsat acquired Sinclair Technologies, a Canadian company providing antenna and RF conditioning products.

History

The company was founded by Rod Wheeler in 1977 in Whitehorse, Yukon under the name Northern Satellite Systems. Wheeler founded the company after attempting to build the first affordable consumer satellite dish with chicken wire and foil. This satellite dish eventually became the company's first prototype. After the company's IPO, it was renamed Norsat and Rod Wheeler became its first CEO. Norsat now produces a variety of satellite communication products and is managed by President and CEO, Dr. Amiee Chan. In 2015, Canadian Business ranked Norsat number 63 on its list of "Vancouver's Fastest-Growing Companies".

Controversy

In 2017, Norsat was sold to Hytera, a Chinese telecom company with the long-standing ties to the country's Ministry of Public Security, for CAD $85 million. The sale was flagged by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission as raising "significant national-security concerns for the United States" and its allies. In 2019, Hytera was effectively banned from doing business with U.S. government agencies due to national security concerns.

Products

Norsat's products include:
The company operates offices in the US, Canada, Switzerland, and the UK.