CNN and the World Broadcasting Unions - International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG) will host the Forum as initiative supporters. The Forum will be organized jointly by GVF, the Global VSAT Forum and SUIRG, the Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group. The complimentary event will be held from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at the CNN New York Bureau in the Time Warner Center and will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest of several industry solutions underway to improve quality of service and reduce operational costs. “WBU-ISOG and CNN are very pleased to host and encourage this important gathering to further efforts to diminish the problems associated with satellite interference, for both broadcasters and others who depend upon satellite communications. Meeting just in advance of SATCON is most timely as a way to attract industry experts to help advance this vital program”, said Dick Tauber, VP of Transmission Systems and New Technology for the CNN News Group and Chairman of WBU-ISOG.

“Signal theft and interference have been escalating globally, which is adversely impacting satellite broadcast and telecommunication services,” said the Forum organizers in a joint statement made by GVF, SUIRG and WBU-ISOG. “The problem is attributable to numerous sources of interference, each of which calls for a different solution. We are pleased to work together with all Satellite Operators and the End User community to identify effective measures to address the issue.”

The Forum will feature executives from major satellite operators, broadcasters, MSS and VSAT service providers, equipment manufacturers and other organizations with vested interests in helping combat the growing problem of satellite radio interference. Participants will delve into the latest developments of each facet of this crucial industry-changing initiative, evaluate their relative merits, and encourage broader industry dialogue and participation.

The Forum will feature topics such as:

• Characterizing the Interference Challenge

• Improving Deployments: VSAT and SNG Installation & Operations Training

• Tracking Remote Interference Sources

• Enabling Product Quality: Earth-Station Type Approvals

• Interference-Fighting Tools

• Addressing Terrestrial Wireless Interference

Reinforcing this hallmark industry collaboration, in the past year 18 leading satellite operators formed an alliance to launch a global initiative to mitigate interference through various means, including:

• Endorsement and support for expanded delivery of GVF’s VSAT Installation Certification Program,

• Advancement of the SUIRG effort to employ Carrier-ID solutions as a means of identifying sources and location of interference generated by satellite earth terminals, and

• Creation of a global data-sharing centre, registered on the Isle of Man.

“In parallel with this operator-backed initiative, the satellite industry has also implemented complementary solutions to address other interference sources,” said David Hartshorn, GVF Secretary General. “For example, to ensure production of high-performance satellite Earth stations, the industry has established an outsourced-type approvals mechanism called the Mutual Recognition Arrangement.” The industry has also mounted an international coordination effort to address mounting levels of interference generated by terrestrial wireless services. “These and other RFI-fighting remedies will be covered in detail at the October 12 Forum,” Hartshorn added.

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 the ITU-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.

The Radio Regulations Board is a part-time body comprising 12 members representing 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. The next WRC will be held January-February 2012.

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