Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Thursday, 1 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 December 2005. It was answered by James Purnell (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Broadcasting (Illegal Jamming)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice she has received on the impact of the jamming of the Telstar 12 and Hotbird satellites from within Libya on United Kingdom broadcasters; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) advised DCMS officials that the regulator had on 25 October received a report from Arquiva, the network operator responsible for transmission of Channel 5 television services in the UK, regarding interference to the Telstar 12 satellite service.The Telstar 12 satellite provides programme feeder links for Channel 5 television broadcasts. Interference to the satellite, which is understood to have originated from a transmitter based in Libya, caused intermittent disruption to Channel 5 services within the UK over a period of approximately two weeks during October. DCMS officials advised FCO officials of the problem. The matter was taken up by FCO officials through the appropriate channels in Libya.Interference has now ceased and there have been no further reports of interruption to Channel 5 or other UK television broadcast stations. DCMS officials nevertheless remain in touch with Ofcom and FCO officials to monitor the situation and will take appropriate steps should there be a re-occurrence of the problem.Neither Ofcom nor DCMS officials have received reports of interference to the Hotbird satellite.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 34920; 440 c2523-4W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Channel Five Broadcasting reception Television Satellite broadcasting Libya
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk