He also said five more States have signed the CTBT, bringing the total number of signatories to date to 160. An additional 11 States have ratified the Treaty so far this year, while five more States have joined the list of Signatories. This clearly indicates the high level of political support that the CTBT is receiving, with the number of signatures currently standing at 160 and ratifications at 63. Continued international support will facilitate the fulfillment of the Treaty's goal of universal membership and early entry into force. This network is designed to register vibrations underground, in the seas and in the air as well as to detect radioactive material released into the atmosphere.
Many stations are now fully operational.
The IDC is currently receiving data from 109 IMS stations around the globe. By the end of 2000, it is anticipated that an additional 15 stations will have been certified. Both the seismological and hydroacoustic networks are now about 30 percent operational, and some 10 percent of the infrasound and radionuclide networks are now functioning. Global satellite coverage has been made possible through the installation of five GCI hubs and a frame relay infrastructure to link these hubs to the IDC in Vienna. Preparatory activities for on-site inspections have focused on the drafting of an operational manual and the procurement of basic equipment for testing and training purposes.