7 Across the spectrum: regulation and standards The technical practicalities of satellite newsgathering are difficult enough to master. To understand the administrative, regulatory and commercial aspects can be just as challenging, and so in this chapter, we will look at these issues and put them into context. Be warned, however, that to understand this aspect of telecommunications requires a good memory for abbreviations and acronyms! Operating SNG uplinks virtually anywhere in the world requires some degree of administrative process to be undertaken, and any operation has to take place within the international regulation of spectrum. These individual national administrative procedures are used to regulate SNG uplinks both in terms of political and technical controls. The constant push to provide the latest news is the driver behind allowing satellite news- gathering greater freedom, particularly into places where it is not wanted and even viewed with mistrust and fear. Broadcasting and telecommunications are often considered matters of national security and social pol- icy in many countries, and in some countries the concept of foreign newsgatherers bringing in their own