Final phase of Skywave '99 launched

Accra (Greater Accra) 9th July '99

The final phase of a radio communication, telecommunication and broadcasting monitoring exercise in the country took off in Accra on Thursday with the launch of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System acquired from France.

The exercise, dubbed "Skywaves '99", is being undertaken by the National Communications Authority (NCA) using the eight million-dollar System which comprises mobile vans equipped with direction finders and monitoring devices.

Skywaves '99 began in February this year and has been conducted in the Volta, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions. The final phase will cover the Central, Western, Ashanti, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions over a six-week period.

The exercise would help the Frequency Management Authority to effectively carry out its regulatory and licensing functions, Major John R.K. Tandoh (rtd), Director of Frequency Management at NCA, told newsmen in Accra.

It is also to support the Ministry of Communications' policy of opening up the airwaves to cover not only the regional capitals but also the districts by preparing a National Frequency Allotment Plan.

This plan "will determine the number of channels to be available in a particular area for broadcasting and telecommunication services using radio frequencies in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands".

Maj. Tandoh said "Exercise Skywave" would form the basis for a handbook on technical regulation and planning guidelines for licensing the radio, television and telephone industries that depend on the Radio Frequency Spectrum as a medium of transmission.

The exercise will pave the way for the launch of the proposed National Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Framework and speed up the development of a national radio frequency band.

There will also be a radio survey inspection on ships at Takoradi and Sekondi ports.

Maj. Tandoh said Exercise Skywaves would be undertaken by two mobile teams while a static unit stationed at the NCA premises would co-ordinate their activities.

Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications who launched it, said the system would serve as a check against unlicensed or illegal broadcast and telephone systems as well as prevent powerful transmitters from interfering with weaker waves.