Captioned Radio is nearing approval as an international recommendation by the ITU
Captioning for Radio is an exciting new development in service to the Deaf, Hearing Loss, and Deaf-Blind communities
Captioned Radio is nearing approval as an international recommendation by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-UIT), the agency of the United Nations that adopts standards recommendations for telecommunications services worldwide.
At the meeting of Radiocommunication Study Group 6, held on 28 and 29 October 2010, the Study Group decided to seek adoption of a draft new Recommendation on Radio Captioning by correspondence .The consideration period ends on 6 February 2011. If no objections are received from Member States (National Countries) during this period, the ITU approval-by-consultation procedure will be initiated. Any Member State who objects to the continuation of the approval procedure for the draft Recommendation should advise the Director of the reason and to indicate possible changes to the text in order to resolve the problem.
We are urging you to contact your country's Radio Spectrum Regulatory Authority requesting support of the Captioned Radio Recommendation now out for adoption and its continuing support and vote of approval at the approval stage.
The formal adoption reference has been released in ITU Radio Sector Circular Letter 6/LCCE/72.
The Circular Letter identifies the proposed standard as:
- Draft New Recommendation ITU-R BS.[CAP.RAD] Doc. 6/303(Rev.1) - Digital radio broadcast service, captioned radio. This Recommendation describes mechanisms to support captioned radio broadcast services on the basis of terrestrial digital sound broadcasting systems described in Recommendation ITU-R BS.1114 as well as traditional analogue FM system(s). A link to the full document can be found at...
Working Party 6A, DRAFT NEW RECOMMENDATION ITU-R BS.[CAP.RAD]
It is important to note that although ITU Recommendations are voluntary, the Captioned Radio proposal urges service support to help achieve the widest possible adoption by interested broadcasters and widest availability and lowest receiver costs.
Many thanks,
David Wood Chair, Technical Committee World Broadcasting Unions
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Industry to Strengthen Collaborative Efforts on Training, Carrier ID, Data Sharing, and Other Methods to Combat Satellite Interference
June 1, 2010 / Washington, DC, Punta Gorda, FL, Toronto, Canada – In their continuing fight against the global problem of satellite signal theft and interference, leading satellite industry organizations will host a Satellite Interference-Mitigation Forum on October 12, the day preceding SATCON 2010 in New York City.
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.
Attendance at the Forum is free, but registration is required as seating will be limited. To reserve a place for your organization pre-register at http://suirg.org/SATCON-FORUM-register.shtml. More information and a complete Forum agenda will be posted shortly at the following sites: www.gvf.org, www.suirg.org and www.worldbroadcastingunions.org.
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About WBU-ISOG: (www.worldbroadcastingunions.org)
Founded in 1985, the International Satellite Operations Group (ISOG) is a committee of the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU). ISOG provides a global forum for members of the WBU to exchange information, outline requirements and resolve common operational problems. WBU-ISOG's mission is to identify, evaluate, and implement solutions for all operational matters associated with transmission (by satellite or any other means) of video, audio, and broadcast-related data material from sites of news, sports, special events and entertainment, and to work with all international groups, institutions, organizations, and appropriate bodies to achieve these solutions. In this endeavour WBU-ISOG reflects one of the aims of the WBU by including and supporting the needs and requirements of broadcasters around the world. WBU-ISOG meetings are held twice a year and permit open dialogue from an international perspective on key satellite communications issues. WBU-ISOG is a tri-partite organization whose participants include members from the WBU including broadcasters, satellite and fibre optic carriers, transmission service providers and invited participants associated with the industry.
About GVF (www.gvf.org)
Formed in 1998, GVF is the non-profit international association of the satellite communications industry. The GVF consists of more than 180 members from 80 countries in every major region of the world, including satellite operators, manufacturers, network service providers, system integrators, carriers and other related organizations. The Forum’s primary objective is to promote the industry, serve as a focal point for all sectors of the communications community, and facilitate improved market-access and
regulatory conditions.
About SUIRG (www.suirg.org)
SUIRG is an international not-for-profit assembly of parties with representation from both the private and public sector organized to combat the increasing and costly problem of satellite RF interference. SUIRG actively pursues programs to reduce radio frequency interference incidents such as a) Carrier ID encoding; b) improved operational training, procedures and certification programs; c) improved detection and identification tools, and e) sharing of information and solutions among members. SUIRG’s objective is to stop interference before it starts.
For Additional Information Contact:
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Toronto, CANADA (March 17 2010) - Toronto, Canada (March 17, 2010) The World Broadcasting Unions International SatelliteOperations Group (WBU-ISOG) was jointly honoured last night with an Industry Innovators Award from the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPl). The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) was the co-recipient of this award. Both Dick Tauber, Chair of the WBU-ISOG and Bob Ames, President of SUIRG accepted the award at the SSPI 23rd Black Tie Reception and Gala Dinner event on March 16th at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor, Maryland.
The honour was given for Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) mitigation work undertaken by both groups to combat interference with transmissions to and from satellites. Specifically, a Carrier Identification Descriptor is now included in the Network Information Table of new models of video encoders and decoders. In cases of legacy equipment, software downloads will be available. The intent of this Carrier ID is to help identify as quickly as possible RF signals for video transmissions over satellite if and when a case of signal interference occurs.
In accepting the award, Mr. Tauber said “on behalf of the WBU-ISOG, I am very grateful to share the recognition for our RFI mitigation work over the years. It has been (and continues to be) a long, hard road since this was brought to light in 2002 via the ISOG RCWG (Rogue Carrier Working Group) and we are pleased to have attained this success to date. We especially want to thank and congratulate Intelsat, SES World Skies and the Global VSAT Forum for their participation and support in this work. Certainly our WBUISOG members, including equipment and service providers, satellite operators and broadcasters from across the globe fully encourage and support the work being done by SUIRG and all others for this important effort.”
ABOUT WBU
The World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) is the coordinating body for broadcasting unions who represent broadcaster networks across the globe. It was established in 1992 as a coordinating body at the international broadcasting level. Since then, the WBU has provided global solutions on key issues for its member unions. The North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) acts as secretariat for the WBU.
The WBU currently has four working committees: the International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG), the Technical Committee (WBU-TC) and the WBU-WIPO Broadcaster Treaty Group (WBU-WIPO).
For more information, please contact Anh Ngo at +1-416-598-9877 ext. 225 / anh@nabanet.com.
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