ITU urges Iran to end satellite interference

Telecommunications regulatory organ of the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has urged the Iranian government to end interference on satellite operations belong to European Satellite Organisation (EUTELSAT).

ITU made this call through its Radio Regulations Board (RRB), which recently concluded its week-long deliberations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Among the issues discussed was that of interference with radio signals from satellite networks operated by the European Satellite Organization, EUTELSAT.

Communications Officer, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, Ms Grace Petrin, in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, noted that the Administration of France, had on behalf of EUTELSAT satellite operator, notified the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) of the interference emanating from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

She noted that while also considering correspondence from the Administration of Iran, the RRB determined that EUTELSAT satellite networks, operating in the orbital positions at 9E, 13E, 21.5E and 25.5E are receiving harmful interference.

Thus, the Board pointed out that “the interfering signals appear to be of a nature that is prohibited under Radio Regulations No. 15.1”.

The Radio Regulations Board submitted that the interference appeared to be emanating from the territory of Iran “based on measurements provided by the Administration of France, and having confidence in the measurement techniques and technologies used, because they are recognized in the ITU-R Handbook on Spectrum Monitoring.”

The interference, ITU reported to have persisted for some time, adversely affecting the operation of several EUTELSAT satellite transponders and channels.

“The Radio Regulations Board urged the Administration of Iran to continue its effort in locating the source of interference and to eliminate it as a matter of the highest priority,” she declared.

According to Petrin, the Administration of France and the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau under the leadership of Mr. Mindaugas Zilinskas of Lithuania, as chairman, have been called upon to assist the Administration of Iran in identifying the source of the interference.

The Radio Regulations Board is a part-time body comprising 12 members representing the world EURTMs five regions: the Americas, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia.

Among the Board EURTMs responsibilities is to approve the technical criteria used by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau in the application of Radio Regulations, to consider reports of harmful interference and to formulate recommendations for their resolution. If agreement cannot be reached between an administration and the Board on a Rule of Procedure, the matter is submitted to a World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) for ruling.

The next WRC will be held January-February 2012.

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