Page created: 23-Nov-2006, updated 14-Dec-2006, 18-Dec-2006, 26-Dec-2006, 3-Jan-2007, 10-Jan-2007, 27-Jan-2007, 2-Feb-2007, 3-Feb-2007, 13-Feb-2007.

Abu Dhabi Conference Press Release

The High Frequency Coordination Conference (HFCC) and the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) held a joint HF coordination meeting at the Millennium Hotel in Abu Dhabi 5-9th February 2007 at the kind invitation of Emirates Media Inc. (EMI).

The meeting was attended by 116 delegates representing 56 Frequency Management Organisations (FMO) from 44 countries.

During the week, the delegates managed to resolve many of the potential interference problems likely to affect HF broadcasting services in the A07 broadcasting season effective from 25th March to 27th October 2007. This means that listeners will be able to tune into their favourite stations operating in the shortwave broadcasting bands with less likelihood of experiencing severe interference.

HFCC and ASBU expressed their warm thanks to Emirates Media Inc. for providing such excellent facilities and hospitality which led to such a successful outcome.

Latest news from Abu Dhabi:

• The printout of the schedule for Monday has been made on Saturday 3 February in the afternoon local time. Further changes will be included in Tuesday's schedule and collision printouts only.
• Those who are expected to pick up the original of the UAE visa at the airport need to visit a special counter that is in the immigration/passport control area BEFORE proceeding to the passport control.
• Please look out for a HFCC/ASBU/Emirates Media banner on your arrival at the airport. The EMI staff will be present already in the area before the passport controll and also at the exit from the customs area. They will arrange the transportation to the hotels.
• The mains power sockets in the hotel rooms are the "British" type. However, "universal" power splitter cords that can accept most of other types of plugs (including "European" and "American") will be installed in the conference room.
• A wired (paid) internet connection is available in the Millenium hotel rooms. Please note that Skype is blocked by the major ISP in the UAE. Internet connection is not available in the Al Jazira Club Hotel.

Introduction

The next A07 HFCC/ASBU Conference will be held from 5 to 9 February 2007 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Millennium Hotel in Abu Dhabi has been chosen for the Conference venue. Preparations are ongoing. Our Emirates Media colleagues have been in touch with the Millennium Hotel as well as with other two hotels that are offered to participants.

Invitation, Registration

• Invitation letter

During the peak tourist season in Abu Dhabi our EMI colleagues have been able to secure bookings in the following three hotels:

• The conference will take place in the ball room of the Millenium Hotel.

• The conference fee is 100 EUR per delegate. This fee will be collected in EUR or AED by the conference secretariat prior to the start of the Conference. The conference registration will start at 4:00pm on February 4.

• Average Exchange Rates:

  • 1 Euro = 4.77 AED
  • 1 US Dollars = 3.66 AED

• Please complete the hotel booking form of your choice and send it to the hotel as soon as possible. Rates and rooms are secured until the 15^th of January 2007.

• Participants in the A07 seasonal conference are requested to kindly send an email to moaz_abualsoud emi.ae or fax +971-2-4144920 with the following information:

  • Name of Participant and Country of Representation
  • Arrival date and time.
  • Name of Booked Hotel.

• The following passport holders can get an entry permit stamped in their passport upon arrival and need not to obtain a visa prior to entering the UAE:

  • France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore South Korea and Malaysia.

• Other travelers must obtain a visit visa prior to entering the UAE. We will be happy to assist you in applying for a visa. This form must be completed and emailed along with all required documents to moaz_abualsoud emi.ae no later than the 10^th of January 2007. In order to speed up the process, the EMI will pay the application fee on your behalf. The fee is Dhs 115 per person per visa. Those participants who will use this help will need to pay this extra fee at the time of conference registration.

A07 Co-ordination Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ABU-HFC sister group that manages co-ordination of shortwave broadcasting primarily in the Asia-Pacific region will hold a meeting in Kuala Lumpur between 22 and 26 January 2007. Participants of the conference organised by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union ABU have been instructed to upload their tentative A07 schedules as well as their amendments made during the meeting into the tentative global database kept on the HFCC server. The automatic collision-processing will be ongoing throughout the conference period and the results of the meeting will be integrated into the global co-ordination process that will be carried on during the Abu Dhabi HFCC/ASBU conference early in February 2007. HFCC/ASBU members are invited to take part in the Kuala Lumpur meeting either directly or by e-mail correspondence with the participants.

• ABU-HFC A07 Activity Plan
• Instruction on Uploading

Please visit this page later for more information.