Minister inspects International Broadcast Center for FIFA WC, Spectrum Test and Tag Desk

MINISTER of Communications and Information Technology HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai on Wednesday visited the International Broadcast Center (IBC) for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as well as the Communications Regulatory Authority’s (CRA) Spectrum Test and Tag Desk dedicated to the tournament at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

IBC is one of the most advanced information centres in the world that will send all the footage from the tournament to the rest of the world. Also, the Spectrum Test and Tag Desk, managed by CRA, is one of CRA’s 12 desks available at the main venues to provide the service of testing and tagging for radio equipment to authorise them to enter to the tournament’s venues.

CRA is the responsible agency for managing, assigning, licensing and monitoring the use of the radio spectrum in the State of Qatar. The Spectrum Test and Tag Desks facilitate all broadcasters and Media Right Licensees to get their radio equipment tested and tagged, because no radio devices or equipment will be allowed in the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venues unless registered on the e-spectrum portal and tested and tagged by CRA.

“We are proud that the QNCC has hosted many national, regional and international events over the past years. It is hosting, for the first time in the tournament’s history, both the International Broadcast Center (IBC) and the Main Media Center (MMC) for the World Cup in the same venue,” said Mannai.

“Today, during our visit to the IBC and CRA’s Spectrum Test and Tag Desk, we witnessed the optimal readiness for the historic hosting of Qatar for the World Cup, which will start within the next few days. What Qatar has provided to the IBC in terms of modern infrastructure and related services is a great witness to the advanced level of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Qatar. Many impressive things are in place like; the use of technologies for the first time that differ from what has been used before in similar tournaments, as well as the planning considerations that have put in place many technical redundants to ensure that the broadcast from Qatar will reach the rest of the world,” he added.

“I am very pleased with the presence of CRA’s representatives in the dedicated desk at the QNCC, which is specialised in testing all radio devices and equipment and licensing them for use in the official venues of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. This provides the necessary protection for all stakeholders by effectively using radio frequencies on their networks, systems, and wireless devices without fear of interference that negatively affects their operations,” the minister said.

Large events showcase a wide range of wireless applications and devices in limited space. This poses a real challenge to meet all radio spectrum requirements and ensure continuity of communication without radio interference. Also, cases of radio interference often require immediate action. Therefore, CRA dedicates all its resources to ensure that all stakeholders are using and operating various radiocommunications and broadcasting services as required and without interruption due to any radio interference that may appear suddenly.