History
Over 30 Years of Innovation and Excellence
Canada's First Private Earth Station, Whitehorse, Yukon, July 1977
Norsat has pioneered advances in portable satellite and microwave communications technologies for over 30 years. Norsat International Inc. began operating in 1977 as Northern Satellite Systems with a mission to develop leading satellite technologies for the consumer and commercial markets. Since that time, the Company has established a solid history of developing innovative, high quality products, bringing many industry firsts to market.
The founder of Northern Satellite Systems (later named Norsat) and first President was Rod Wheeler. He started the company on an innovative idea; to build the first affordable consumer satellite dish. From his cabin in Whitehorse, Yukon, Rod toiled over the construction of a workable satellite dish. Even with the limited materials he had, Rod successfully constructed a satellite dish out of chicken wire and foil. This dish was the first prototype for Norsat, and it helped launch the company into the satellite market.
From these roots, Norsat extended its product offering to include a full range of microwave products, digital products for terrestrial and wireless applications, and open standard networks that provide customers with reliable, high-speed data transmission. Norsat further expanded its product portfolio to include antennas and RF conditioning products through its acquisition of Sinclair Technologies Inc. (www.sinctech.com) in January 2011.
Today, Norsat designs, engineers, and markets its products and services world-wide. Norsat’s established reputation, proven track record, and progressive product offering positions the company to achieve its vision of becoming a premier solutions provider of broadband communications infrastructure for remote and austere regions of the world.
To date, Norsat has sold more than 2.5 million products in 87 countries throughout the world.