EC Moves Closer to European-Wide Mobile Satellite Regulations

The European Commission has adopted a proposal to select systems for mobile satellite services at the European level. The next stage in the process will be for the European Parliament and the European Union Council of Telecom Ministers to follow suit and adopt the new selection mechanism. Supporters of satellite delivered mobile services say that, if accepted, the new system will enable innovative services, such as mobile TV, broadband data and emergency communications to develop smoothly throughout Europe from 2009 onwards.

According to Viviane Reding, the EU Telecoms Commissioner, "The potential for Europe-wide mobile satellite services is massive - Think mobile television, think broadband for all, think public protection and disaster relief,"  she said in a statement.

Reding went on "The new way the Commission proposes today to select mobile satellite services will give Europe's industry the necessary confidence to invest in new EU-wide services for citizens. It will also help bridge the digital divide by improving coverage in the EU's remote areas."

According to industry analysts, mobile satellite systems can provide many advanced services and, importantly, reach remote areas that were previously uneconomic to serve. However, existing international rules for satellite communications do not cover licensing. Furthermore, at the moment, the selection of operators is essentially left to national regulatory bodies within the EU. This has lead to divergent national approaches to selection and authorisation. Clearly, this is likely to impede the growth of pan-European mobile satellite systems.

Stakeholders and Member States have strongly supported this proposal for EU-wide coordination arguing that satellite communications reach across borders and significant economies of scale will result from consistent national authorisations throughout Europe. Such coordination will, they argue, also lead to a more efficient use of spectrum and will reduce the risk of harmful interference.

The proposal will provide the basis for a single comparative selection procedure organised by the Commission in cooperation with Member States. If the decision proposed by the Commission to install the new mechanism is adopted, the Commission will publish an open call for applications. The candidate systems' quality will be assessed technically and commercially. Further assessment criteria will include geographic coverage, consumer and competitive benefits, the fulfillment of public policy objectives, and spectrum efficiency. Selected operators will be subsequently authorised nationally, based on the process in the new EU Decision.