NEW YORK, NY - March 10, 2010
-- New radiocommunication standards for satellite services that could
be used to save greater lives in the wake of natural disasters have
been approved, the United Nations International Telecommunications
Union (
ITU) announced
today.
"Establishing communications in the aftermath of a
disaster is vital to facilitate rapid and effective rescue and
rehabilitation efforts," said the agency's Secretary-General Hamadoun
Touré.
He called on satellite operators and others "to support
the development of robust, comprehensive, early warning and relief
systems to mitigate emergencies and disasters at the national, regional
and international levels."
The recommendations include
information on the range of radio frequencies that can be used by fixed
satellite systems for emergency and disaster relief operations.
Recognizing
the urgent need for reliable telecommunications links following
disasters, such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, ITU has
joined global efforts to deploy satellite terminals and earth stations
to re-establish basic communication links.