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New UN satellite standards to boost communications in emergencies

New UN satellite standards to boost communications in emergencies

Communications satellite
New radiocommunication standards for satellite services that could be used to save greater lives in the wake of natural disasters have been approved, the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) announced today.

New radiocommunication standards for satellite services that could be used to save greater lives in the wake of natural disasters have been approved, the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) announced today.

“Establishing communications in the aftermath of a disaster is vital to facilitate rapid and effective rescue and rehabilitation efforts,” said the agency’s Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

He called on satellite operators and others “to support the development of robust, comprehensive, early warning and relief systems to mitigate emergencies and disasters at the national, regional and international levels.”

The recommendations include information on the range of radio frequencies that can be used by fixed satellite systems for emergency and disaster relief operations.

Recognizing the urgent need for reliable telecommunications links following disasters, such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, ITU has joined global efforts to deploy satellite terminals and earth stations to re-establish basic communication links.