Shaw 2009 Annual Report Download - page 38

iv) Uninsured risks of loss
The Company presently relies on two satellites (Anik F2 and Anik F1R) owned by Telesat Canada
(“Telesat”) to conduct its DTH and Satellite Services business. The Company owns certain
transponders on the Anik F2 and has long-term capacity service agreements in place in respect
of transponders on both Anik F1R and Anik F2. Telesat has procured insurance policies on each
satellite which are in effect until mid-calendar year 2010, both subject to renewal. Shaw funds a
portion of this insurance cost such that in the event Telesat recovers insurance proceeds in
connection with an insured loss, Shaw will be entitled to receive certain compensation payments.
The Company anticipates that the insurance policies in respect of both satellites will be renewed
and that Shaw will continue to contribute to the cost of these policies.
The Company does not maintain business interruption insurance covering damage or loss to one or
more of the satellites used in its DTH and Satellite Services business as it believes the premium
costs are uneconomic relative to the risk of satellite failure. Transponder capacity is available to the
Company on an unprotected, non-preemptible service level basis, in both the case of the Anik F2
transponders that are owned by Shaw and the Anik F1R and Anik F2 transponders that are secured
through service capacity agreements. The Company has priority access to spare transponders on
each satellite in the case of interruption, although there is no assurance that such transponders
would be available. In the event of satellite failure, service will only be restored as additional
capacity becomes available. Restoration of satellite service on another satellite may require
repositioning or re-pointing of customers’ receiving dishes. As a result, the customers’ level of
service may be diminished or they may require a larger dish. Satellite failure could cause customers
to deactivate their DTH subscriptions or otherwise have a material adverse effect on business and
results of operations.
Network failures caused by damage by fire, natural disaster, power loss, hacking, computer viruses,
disabling devices, acts of war or terrorism and other events could have a material adverse affect,
including customer relationships and operating results. The Company protects its network through
a number of measures including physical security, ongoing maintenance and placement of
insurance on its network equipment and data centers. The Company self-insures the plant in
the cable and Internet distribution system as the cost of insurance is generally prohibitive. The risk
of loss is mitigated as most of the cable plant is located underground. In addition, it is likely that
damages caused by any one incident would be limited to a localized geographic area and therefore
resulting business interruption and financial damages would be limited. Further, the Company has
back-up disaster recovery plans in the event of plant failure and redundant capacity with respect to
certain portions of the system. In the past, it has successfully recovered from damages caused by
natural disasters without significant cost or disruption of service. Although the Company has taken
steps to reduce this risk, there can be no assurance that major disruptions will not occur.
v) Reliance on suppliers
Shaw’s distribution and call center network is connected or relies on other telecommunication
carriers and certain utility companies. Any of the events described in the preceding paragraph, as
well as labour strikes and other work disruptions, bankruptcies, technical difficulties or other events
affecting these carriers or utilities could also hurt business, including customer relationships and
operating results.
The Company sources its customer premise and capital equipment and capital builds from certain
key suppliers. While the Company has alternate sources for most of its purchases, the loss of a key
supplier could adversely affect the Company in the short term.
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Shaw Communications Inc.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
August 31, 2009