Satellite provider says Iran jams broadcasts

AP
Eutelsat has lodged two complaints in the past nine months for Iran's 'deliberate jamming operations' targeting Persian broadcasts by the BBC and the Voice of America, the satellite provider said Wednesday.

France-based Eutelsat said the two broadcasters Farsi-language services are the target of 'repeated and deliberate jamming operations.' However, both have been transmitted 'without disruption or jamming' since the start of the month.
Last month, Voice of America, the BBC and Deutsche Welle condemned what they said was the illegal jamming of broadcasts.

The disruptions appear linked to political turmoil in Iran. Some Iranians have complained that Tehran authorities have tried to stop international broadcasts in a bid to isolate citizens amid unrest that began after last June's contested presidential elections…
Eutelsat said in a statement that it lodged a complaint in May 2009 with the National Agency of French Frequencies and lodged a second complaint in February 2010, this time aimed at getting the Radio Regulations Board of the International Telecommunication Union 'to give priority to address the matter' at its March 22-26 board meeting.

It noted that the foreign ministers of France, Britain and Germany have asked European Union members to denounce jamming at a March 22 meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.Eutelsat's Hot Bird satellite transmits the broadcasts to Iran, and Eutelsat said it 'continually carries out technical operations' to maintain transmission. It also has relied on other satellites 'more resistant to jamming from Iran'.