Leading satellite industry organizations will host a day-long Forum “The Global Interference Mitigation Initiative: Progress, Plans and Prospects” on the final day of SATELLITE 2010 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland. The Forum, set for Thursday, March 18, 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 initiative, evaluate their relative merits, and encourage broader industry dialogue and participation. Collectively organized by the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), the Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) and leading satellite operators, the day-long Forum will feature such topics 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

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 of interference generated by satellite earth stations
• Creation of a 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 March 18 Form,” Hartshorn added.

Leading industry executives confirmed as speakers at the March 18th Interference Mitigation Forum include: Kalpak Gude, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel for Intelsat; Roger Franklin, President of Crystal Computer Corporation, and Martin Coleman, Director of Colem Communications Ltd. Attendance at the Forum is free, but registration is required as seating will be limited. To register, visit either the GVF or SUIRG websites at www.gvf.org or www.suirg.org.