The TV channel operated by the BBC World Service has seen attempts to disrupt its broadcasts by jamming originating from Iran.
As a result of the disruption that first started at the end of September, BBC Persian HD is now broadcasting on an alternative satellite transponder with a Forward Error Correction (FEC) setting that improves reception.
BBC Persian is broadcast via Eutelsat’s Hot Bird satellite system at 13°E, where it can reach audiences in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
BBC Persian HD can now be received on the additional Hot Bird frequency of 11.355 GHz, polarisation: vertical. (SR: 27500, FEC: 1/2, Mode: DVB-S2, QPSK).
At the time of publishing the article, its existing slot on 12322H is still live.
Eutelsat this week released a statement confirming that its satellites had been targeted by jamming. Its investigation concluded the interference originated from within Iran.
The jamming follows weeks of civil unrest in the country.
Eutelsat said its technical teams have been “working around the clock with affected customers to mitigate the impact of the interference on service as much as possible”. The jamming attempts are also understood to have affected other Persian language channels as well as unrelated channels sharing the same transponders as the targeted channels.
Intentional jamming is explicitly prohibited by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations.
[Image: BBC Persian screenshot]