17 - 18 April, 2003. The 8th Annual Conference of Operators and Users "SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION" took place in the town of Dubna.

20.04 : 2003

The 8th Annual Conference of Operators and Users "SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION" took place in the town of Dubna. Russian Satellite Communications Company - National Satellite Communications Operator - organized the Conference. The "Networks and Communications Systems" Magazine rendered information support. More than 230 delegates participated in the Conference. There were presented 136 organizations and companies from Russia, CIS countries, Germany, Austria, USA, France, Israel, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy. There also participated representatives of Bureau for Economic Affairs acting under the President of the Russian Federation, officials of Ministry of the Russian Federation for Communications and Informatization, representatives of satellite communications operators and operators of terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure, producers of satellite communications and TV/radio broadcasting equipment, leading specialists in the area of advanced infocommunication services and consulting.

Dr. B. Antoniuk, 1st Deputy Minister for Communications and Informatization of the Russian Federation, addressed the Conference Participants with welcoming remarks by using videoconference. Having taken note of the important role of space technologies in the development of communications and in transition to information society, Dr. B. Antoniuk emphasized that "the use of satellite communications technologies will make it possible to develop digital cinemas, distant learning, telemedicine, and to provide multiple communication services aboard aircraft and other up-to-date multimedia services".

Mr. V. I. Pavlov, Head of Radio, TV and Satellite Department of Ministry for Communications and Informatization, spoke on the concept of telecommunication services development, transition of federal TV and radio broadcasting into digital format, specified the application of satellite technologies in the "Electronic Russia" Federal Purpose-Oriented Programme.

The Conference participants showed great interest in the statement given by Mr. A. Duka, Director General of RSCC on the programme of the company development up to the year 2007. According to Mr. A. Duka "steady growing demand for global telecommunications services drives the satellite services development. The Company development programme provides for the upgrade of satellite orbital constellation, development of terrestrial infrastructure and digital TV/radio broadcasting network, setting-up of broadband multi-service network by means of VSAT".

The Conference participants were particularly interested to discuss multi-service communications networks deployments and provision of interactive services by using new Russian satellites. The Conference participants showed great interest in multi-service networks being deployed in the island of Spitsbergen, Far Eastern Federal Region and Krasnoyarskiy District of the Russian Federation. In the course of the Conference RSCC, "Jackpot" Co. and "Gilat" Co. signed agreements on the deployment of "Jackpot" corporate gambling system network. It is planned to deploy the network by using new Russian satellites (Ku-band) and VSAT.

More than once the Conference participants stated that complex, long-term and expensive Earth Station registration and start-up procedures are blocking development of intensive communications networks by means of Russian space segment. The problem was discussed during the round table where space communications operators, satellite network users and officials of regulating authorities exchanged their views.

All-Russian Cinema Distribution Network "National Screen" was presented by using satellite technologies during the Conference. High definition TV signal was received by satellite terminal located on roof top of movie theater directly from EXPRESS-A1R satellite 40 E, while motion-picture projection equipment delivered the signal to the screen.

The Conference participants summed up the results of the Conference:

• A success achieved in Renovation of Russian National Civil Constellation has already permitted to start up the deployment of broadband multi-service networks in Russia and CIS in practical terms.
• The main obstacle to the VSAT networks development in Russia is complex and expensive registration of VSAT terminals and start-up procedures. Favorable conditions may be created through the efforts of the interdepartmental VSAT working group to improve legal basis and to develop satellite networks in Russia.
• Further development of satellite communications networks and broadcasting in Russia must be focused on such socially important realms as telephony, TV and radio broadcasting in remote areas, "National Screen" public network, distant learning and telemedicine services.