However, when this is not practicable, the following shall apply:

1. ORGANISATION

1.1 General

Even more than in conventional conferencing, the presence of an experienced coordinating interpreter is essential. He/she must participate fully in the preparation of the conference, with the video and sound technicians as well as with the conference officers. Remote conferencing will often justify the coordinating interpreter's playing a purely marginal role during the conference and the appointment of similar coordinators at each location.

1.2 Working hours

In remote conferencing interpreters must not work more than 3 hours a day. Failing this, manning strengths shall be correspondingly increased.

If remote conferencing leads to night work, interpreters are entitled to appropriate compensation.

2. EQUIPMENT

2.1 Sound quality

Sound quality must be at least equal to that required in ISO 2603 (cf paragraph 7.2, Frequency response).

2.2 Video display

Interpreters must be provided with high-quality, uninterruptedly displayed colour images (e.g., visual display units of at least 40 cm diagonal or video projection) of:

a) the speaker in close-up

b) the audience

c) the chairman and conference officers

Any speeches being read that have not been copied for the interpreters should also be displayed to them, as well as any visual material (slides, graphs, etc.) shown to the audience.

Other material that can help the interpreters overcome the handicap of not being in direct contact with the conference, such as the agenda, voting results, list of participants or session timetable, may also be displayed.

2.3 Communication

a) A channel to be permanently available between the coordinating interpreter and his/her counterpart at other location(s).

b) Call lines to be permanently available to the latter, connected to:

- the Chair

- sound control

- video control

2.4 Telecopying facilities

Telecopying or teletransmission facility to be continuously available to transmit speeches, lists of participants/speakers, programmes, etc. and to back up the coordinating channel (item a in paragraph 2.3.)