The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE is representing the country at the ITU Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC) being held in Geneva from May 15th to June 16th, 2006, with the aim of facilitating the introduction of digital broadcasting technologies in the country. Tariq Abdulkarim Al-Awadhi, Director of Spectrum Management chairs a UAE team comprising members from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Emirates Media, Dubai Media and Sharjah TV.
“The ITU Regional Radiocommunication conference is a key initiative in promoting a smooth and effective changeover to digital broadcasting,” said Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General of the TRA. “The ICT and Telecommunications sector in the UAE has developed tremendously over the years, and we are committed to further innovation and the provision of new digital services in the country. The Conference will help us concentrate on achieving our strategic goals by adopting new technology in a bid to add value for our consumers.”
The ITU Regional Radiocommunication Conference 2006 is organised with the objective of establishing the technical foundation for the planning of digital terrestrial broadcasting of television and radio services for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Islamic Republic of Iran. The 2006 Conference aims to reschedule digital broadcasting channels in the 174-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz frequency bands to pave the way for digital channel growth.
Digital broadcasting is roughly six times more efficient than analogue, allowing more channels to be carried across fewer airwaves. At the conference, TRA will address specific issues relating to digital transition, as well as discuss ways to permit digital broadcasting to operate side-by-side with analogue broadcasting, without causing interference between the two.
Emphasising the importance of the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, Tariq Abdulkarim Al-Awadhi said, “Broadcasting is entering a new age with advances in digital technology opening up major prospects for the future of television and radio in the region. Digital terrestrial television broadcasting offers the advantage of better signal quality with higher throughput resulting in more channels. In conjunction with the scheduled worldwide transition to digital broadcasting in 2009, the Authority is aiming to further its scope of service delivery by utilizing the opportunities offered by the new paradigm.”
About the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority:
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority “TRA” is an independent public authority established under Federal Decree by Law No.3 of 2003. The Authority has an independent legal, financial and administrative personality.
The TRA is the competent body to oversee the telecommunications sector and all Licensees of the UAE. The Authority serves as the executive arm to the Supreme Committee for the supervision of the telecommunications sector. The TRA ensures the telecom services are available to all and meet the quality standards.
The TRA has sole powers to issue regulations, orders, resolutions and procedures in relation to all aspects of the licensed operators, radio frequency authorizations, equipment and apparatus approvals, specifications and importation, orbital and numbering resource management, and standards.
