MUMBAI: The World Broadcasting Unions International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG), which includes broadcasters, satellite operators, transmission service providers and industry groups have unanimously approved a set of Universal Access Procedures (UAP) for all satellite uplinks aimed at significantly reducing satellite interference.

The WBU-ISOG has submitted a new draft recommendation to the International Telecommunication Union Study Group 4B (ITU-R SG 4B) in Geneva, Switzerland, for satellite newsgathering (SNG), in time for the next Study Group 4B meeting in April.

Members of the WBU-ISOG are calling on broadcasters and satellite operators to collectively help eliminate satellite interference, with special concern for deliberate events of interference caused by rogue carriers. These carriers intentionally transmit to satellite capacity that has been assigned to legitimate users, interrupting network broadcasters who use the satellites for newsgathering, program acquisition and distribution to their customers.

Dick Tauber, chairman of WBU-ISOG and vice president, Transmission Systems and New Technology for the CNN News Group at CNN in Atlanta, told TelecomWeb that it is important that broadcasters, satellite operators and uplink service providers work together to reduce and eliminate interference caused by equipment malfunction and human errors, so we, as an industry, can focus on and thwart those who dont play by the rules and purposely interfere with global satellite broadcasts. We anticipate adoption and approval from the ITU. Our recommendations have the full support of key satellite industry groups.