Telesat chief executive Dan Goldberg. (Darren Brown, OBJ)

Telesat has won a consulting contract with a United Arab Emirates-based satellite communications company.

The Ottawa-based company, which is the country's fourth-largest fixed satellite services operator, said it had signed a multi-year consulting contract with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJsc (Yahsat), its first deal since merging with New Jersey's Loral Skynet in November 2007 and separating from telecom giant BCE Inc.

Telesat will provide Yahsat with consulting services during the construction and launch of Yahsat's first two satellites, which will be launched in late 2010 and early 2011.

"Telesat's selection as the technical consultant for this project underscores Telesat's deep experience with highly complex and innovative satellite technologies," said Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg in a statement. "Telesat is honoured to be selected by Yahsat to support this important project."

As part of the deal, Telesat will provide technical advisers to oversee the construction of the two satellites, Yahsat 1A and 1B, and will monitor their launch and in-orbit testing.

Yahsat provides hybrid satellite communications services to commercial and governmental clients in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and southwest Asia.