The event that aroused the greatest interest among the
EEBC 2009 audience was the International scientific-practical conference "Technologies of Satellite Communication and Broadcasting". The conference was opened by Onno Zonneveld, SES SIRIUS AB Eastern and Central Europe Market Development Vice President, who gave a talk on the topic: "The Growth of Opportunities in the Ukrainian Market". He spoke about the capabilities of the new satellite ASTRA at 31.5оE, emphasizing the provision of new services in the Ukrainian market, such as HDTV.
Another interesting presentation was "Digital Satellite Distribution Network of the National Satellite Communication System Dataware" given by Ivan Gorbach, Satellite Distribution Network Chief Designer (Ukrkosmos State Enterprise). The report analyzed the relationship between the projects of creating the National satellite communication system and creating a nationwide digital broadcasting telecommunication network during Ukraine's transition to digital TV and radio broadcasting.
Development prospects of the EUTELSAT 2009–2011 satellite constellation were described by Nikolay Orlov, CIS Regional Director of Eutelsat Communications, one of the three major satellite operators in the world. The speaker said that in November 2009 the company was preparing to launch W7 satellite, which will provide new broadcasting opportunities for the CIS countries.
The National satellite communication system, with its problems and their solutions, was described by Anatoly Melnik, Head of the Satellite Communication Systems Department, UNIIRT State Enterprise. He gave special emphasis to identifying the project’s bottlenecks, the problems of implementation, developing recommendations to address problematic issues, as well as the need of additional research to build the NSCS. Mr. Melnik also presented a report on the topic: "New Opportunities and Prospects of Using the DVB-S2 Standard". The expert highlighted the following key functions of the DVB-S2 signal format: provision of standard and high quality TV broadcasting services, provision of interactive services including Internet access, program exchange, news gathering, program distribution, data transmission and distribution.
The topic "Development Prospects of Satellite Broadcasting in Ukraine" was covered in the presentation by Ihor Kurus, a member of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine. Among the problems that arose in the course of implementation of digital broadcasting, the speaker pointed out ensuring frequency resources for the process of digital television implementation, as well as the lack of programs for multiplex MX-4 television channels.
Oleg Skuybida, a representative of the National Space Agency of Ukraine, gave a talk on the topic: "The National Satellite Communication System". According to the speaker, within the project it is planned to produce and launch a satellite which will provide radio broadcasting and fixed satellite services and ensure satellite television broadcasting, including high definition television, access to information networks, multimedia services, and the operation of corporate departmental VSAT networks.
The presentation "Allocation of Frequency-Orbit Resource for Satellite Communications and Broadcasting Development" was given by Dmitry Makoveyenko, Lead Engineer at the RF department, the UNIIRT State Enterprise. The expert considered the allocation of frequency-orbit resource at the international level.
The topic "Oil and Gas Communications & Social Responsibility: Merging community interests and profitability" was covered in the presentation by Martin Jarrold, the Global VSAT Forum International Development Program Chief, who had been appointed the Head of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) International Development Program in June 2001.
Cable television business players joined their efforts to address the market problems in the open All-Ukrainian Forum of Cable TV Operators. The richness of the event was ensured by a wide range of sessions, and its relevance — by the upcoming transition to digital television.
The speakers marked out some positive changes in the regulatory framework of governmental regulation of program service providers’ activity in 2008–2009, aimed at mitigating the economic crisis, Ukraine's integration into the European community in the field of television. Through the joint efforts of the Freedom of Expression and Information Committee of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, individual members of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine, and market participants, the procedure of licensing program service providers had been partially simplified, transparent rules for calculating the license fee from January 1, 2010 had been established, and the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.had been ratified. Ukraine had made a European choice in the distribution of TV programs.
As part of the "ROMSAT Day at EEBC 2009", a scientific-technical conference "Multi-Service Network and Technology Convergence" was held. In their reports, ROMSAT specialists told about the main trends in the digital TV market, the prospects of WEBTV and 3D mobile TV introduction, the evolution of Ethernet equipment, and ways to optimize access networks.
Among other speakers at the conference were representatives of ROMSAT partners, particularly CommScope, Optronik, Corning, Aurora Networks, Espial, A2B Electronics, WISI, Promax. They presented the latest groundworks of their companies in the field of fiber-optic technology of core access networks, cable television, IPTV technology, terrestrial digital broadcasting and mobile TV systems, control equipment for HDTV content.
A number of reports analyzed the real possibility of building multi-service networks based on Ethernet technology. The session participants noted the universality of such solutions and the possibility of using them as a basis for implementation of services to provide audiovisual content. The problem here was quality online transmission of video streams.
A notable event of the second day of EEBC 2009 was the Roundtable "Legislative Regulation of the Problems of the ICT Industry Development at the Present Stage" organized by the Ukrainian Internet Association. The event was attended by major players of the information and communication technology market, representatives of governmental organizations, professional associations, public organizations and the media.
In particular: member of the Advisory Council on Informatization at Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Alexander Baranov, the Ukrainian Internet Association Deputy Chairman of the Board Alexander Olshansky, the UIA Chairman of the Board Tatyana Popova, the UIA Member of the Board and Executive Director Vladimir Kukovsky, Kravchenko Viktoria, representative of the USPP Science and Technology Committee Alexander Shatalov, Head of Mutual Settlement Department Lubov Tkachenko, and others.
The Roundtable participants discussed the problems and obstacles of implementing the digital signature in Ukraine. They also touched upon the issues of the formation of tariffs for the access to cable communication channeling, and other equally important issues in this area. They talked about the need of making changes in the law of Ukraine "On Telecommunications" in relation to domain regulation, which most fully reflect the provisions of the .UA Domain Development Concept, but at the same time require certain clarifications and additions.
The speakers at the event presented their views on the improvement of the industry legislation. Alexander Baranov, member of the Advisory Council on Informatization at Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, observed: "A huge number of regulations in the field of informatization suggest the need of systematization and even codification. Moreover, some of them slow down the processes, and some contradict each other". Aleksandr Shatalov, member of the USPP Science and Technology Committee, told about the problems of the digital signature that had been long ago developed in Ukraine. He also stressed that digital signature cannot be realized in the digital workflow vacuum. Tatyana Popova, the UIA Chairman of the Board, considered several bills that, in her view, seriously undermine the development of the information society.