[SatNews] For several years broadcasters and satellite industry leaders have attempted to combat satellite interference.

What results have been achieved? What challenges remain to be addressed? And what is required to address those outstanding challenges? This Summit will provide answers and is to be conducted at the Holiday Inn, Amsterdam on September 8.

Participating in this high-level dialogue will be executives covering the full spectrum of our industry: 

Representing key satellite industry associations will be GVF (the Global VSAT Forum), sIRG (the satellite Interference Reduction Group) and their members. Serving as the voice of the broadcasting sector will be WBU-ISOG (the World Broadcasting Unions – International Satellite Operations Group) and a relatively new group, the RFI – EUI (Radio Frequency Interference – End Users Initiative). Now established are three working groups with representation from all the above mentioned organizations.  The goals of each group will develop plans designed to take quality assurance and satellite signal integrity to the next level. 

Those plans are critical because continuing interference is still causing service interruptions, which are increasing operational costs, decreasing reliability rates, and impacting industry competitiveness. 

Broadcasters' and satellite industry efforts to solve RFI problems have been extensive, but the adoption of viable solutions and their comprehensive implementation have yet to be achieved and there is heightened urgency for results. 

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW?

• Carrier ID must be implemented in time for the upcoming Olympics
• Operators need to uphold and enforce product-quality-assurance measures
• Training and Certification of technicians and SNG operators should become a requirement.

This one-day event — which is the most recent in a series of meetings held in Europe, North America and Asia — will include leading users, satellite operators, manufacturers, and other subject experts in interactive discussions and debate. Participants will have an opportunity to learn the latest developments relating to each facet of this issue, evaluate their relative merits, and build upon the progress already made towards necessary solutions.

There is no charge for attendance, but seating will be limited. To ensure a place for your organization in this important forum, RSVP today at the GVF or sIRG websites.

Agenda

09.00 Registration & Coffee

09.30 Welcome From the Host

09.40 The Broadcaster Perspective: Progress, Plans and Requirements
  Executives from the broadcasting sector will report on interference-mitigation gains made worldwide and plans for next steps to be taken to assure higher standards of quality of systems, performance, and service. The session will include reports from the Chairman of each RFI - EUI working group, relating to carrier ID, training and certification, best practices, product quality assurance, and other requirements.

1040 Coffee

1100 Addressing the Interference Challenges... and Their Solutions
The Summit Co-Chairmen will provide updates on latest progress made to address each of the primary types of interference impacting satellite services today.  Summit delegates will join open-forum discussions and hear presentations that address the challenges, initiatives, and actions being taken.

1130 The Operators' Game plan
Operators are central to resolving the interference issue, and increasingly they have been stepping forward to lead initiatives designed to improve signal quality. From carrier ID to training and from product quality assurance to data sharing, this session will provide progress reports and identify how operators will more fully address broadcasters' call for more concrete results.

1245 Lunch Break  Sponsored by Eutelsat

1400 Stopping Interference Now: Pro-Active and Re-Active Solutions – Round Table Discussion

• Training and Certification
• Best Practices, Documentation and Technology
• Product Quality Assurance
• Data Sharing
• Carrier ID

1600 Concluding Forum & Action Items

1630 Adjournment