Arabsat Locates Source of Intentional Interference

Ku-band coverage of one of the satellites in Arabsat’s fleet at position 26 degrees East. Photo: Arabsat

[Via Satellite 06-02-2014] Many TV channels broadcasted using Arabsat’s fleet of satellites have been the subject of intentional jamming for the week prior to, and leading up to, Thursday, May 29, 2014. The jammer transmitted unauthorized signals that disturbed several channels on many different transponders.

Arabsat engineers were able to locate and identify the source of the jamming, and it was confirmed that the interference came from Ethiopian territories. The company speculates that the jamming was actually meant to target various opponent channels for one of the two countries that broadcast on satellites near the Arabsat neighborhood at 26 degrees east.

Arabsat is focusing on the problem at the national and international level, and both the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Arab League have been informed. Arabsat plans to take all appropriate actions to prosecute the jammer and take any legal action necessary to ensure that the damages incurred are compensated.