European satellite companies face ongoing disruptions from interference originating in Russia, causing interruptions in broadcasts and even replacing children’s programming with war videos. France’s Eutelsat SA is among the affected operators, with at least three satellites impacted since mid-March. The situation, which extends to other European countries, has prompted complaints to international telecommunications authorities and raises concerns about Russia’s testing of EU and NATO preparedness amid the Ukraine conflict.
Recent documents obtained by Bloomberg reveal a troubling trend in the European satellite TV landscape: persistent interference traced back to Russia, resulting in disrupted broadcasts and alarming content substitutions. The affected parties, including French operator Eutelsat SA, have grappled with these disruptions since mid-March, with incidents reported well into May.
Among the most egregious instances documented is the replacement of programming on Walt Disney Co.’s BabyTV channel with war videos in Russian, a jarring intrusion into children’s entertainment. This interference, identified as originating from large earth stations, has prompted calls for action from regulatory bodies, including France’s Agence Nationale des Frequences.
The situation has broader implications for European communication systems, with Dutch cable operator Ziggo even removing BabyTV from its offerings in response to the disturbances. Concerns have escalated to international levels, with reports slated for discussion at the upcoming meeting of the Radio Regulations Board, overseen by the International Telecommunication Union, a UN agency.
Despite mounting evidence and complaints from affected countries, including France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, Russian authorities have remained silent on the matter. The lack of response underscores the seriousness of the situation and raises questions about Russia’s motivations amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The impact extends beyond mere inconvenience, with Estonia and Finland reporting instances of GPS signal jamming by Moscow, disrupting critical transportation systems. Swedish satellites have also fallen victim to interference originating from Moscow, Kaliningrad, and Crimea, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of Russia’s actions.
As tensions persist, affected parties continue to seek resolution through diplomatic channels, with France’s Agence Nationale des Frequences initiating dialogue with its Russian counterpart. However, the lack of meaningful engagement thus far underscores the challenges in addressing this multifaceted issue and underscores the need for international cooperation to safeguard communication infrastructure against external threats.
">Virgo
Follow on X
