ITU Radio Regulations Board urges Iran to end interference hampering EUTELSAT satellite operations

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Geneva, 26 March 2010 —

The ITU Radio Regulations Board concluded its week-long deliberations today. Among the issues discussed was that of interference with radio signals from satellite networks operated by the European Satellite Organization, EUTELSAT.

The Administration of France, on behalf of the EUTELSAT satellite operator, notified the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) of the interference emanating from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 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. The Board noted that "the interfering signals appear to be of a nature that is prohibited under Radio Regulations No. 15.1".

The Radio Regulations Board concluded 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 theITU-R Handbook on Spectrum Monitoring".

The interference is 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.

The Administration of France and the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau have been called upon to assist the Administration of Iran in identifying the source of the interference.

TheRadio Regulations Board

is a part-time body comprising12 membersrepresenting the world’s five regions: the Americas, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Among the Board’s 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. Thenext WRCwill be held January-February 2012.

The current Chairman of the Board is Mr Mindaugas Zilinskas of Lithuania.

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