A Canadian-owned satellite has recovered from Thursday's problem that caused widespread communications disruptions to phone circuits, television signals, Internet connections and data-relay services across North America.

Artist's concept of Anik F2 in orbit. Credit: Boeing

The Anik F2 spacecraft in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above the planet experienced a software issue and entered a "safe mode" Thursday at 6:36 a.m. EDT (1036 GMT).

The Ottawa-based satellite operator Telesat said engineers worked through the day and successfully returned Anik F2 to communications duties by early Friday morning.

"Satellite anomalies like the one that affected Telesat's Anik F2 yesterday are highly unusual. This particular anomaly was the result of a software error encountered during a routine maneuver which triggered the satellite to place itself into a safe mode, shutting itself down and pointing itself at the sun to ensure it remained powered," the company said in a statement.

"The software error that led to the anomaly appears to have been caused by a software update that was recently provided by the satellite manufacturer. That particular software update was not re-loaded onto the satellite."

Launched aboard an Ariane 5 rocket in 2004, the powerhouse bird carries 45 Ka-band spot beams for broadband users, plus 32 Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders for broadcasting and telecommunications.

"Anik F2 supports a variety of services in Canada and the United States, all of which are affected by the satellite anomaly," Telesat said yesterday.

The spacecraft operates at the 111.1-degree West longitude orbit slot. It is a Boeing 702 design with solar arrays stretching 157 feet long and a planned mission life of 15 years.