One mobile satellite system to rule Europe

The European Commission has proposed a single system for selecting mobile satellite services across Europe.

Under the proposed system, the Commission would do away with the current 27 mobile satellite services markets and replace them with a single pan-European market, run by up to three operators.

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If adopted, mobile satellite services - such as broadband, emergency communications and mobile TV - will be developed throughout Europe under the single selection system from 2009.

EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, said the potential for Europe-wide mobile satellite services is "massive" and the Commission's proposal will help bridge the digital divide by improving coverage in the remote regions of Europe.

In a statement, Reding added: "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."

Stakeholders and member states have strongly supported this proposal for EU-wide co-ordination, the EC said, because satellite communications reach across borders and significant economies of scale will result from this co-ordination.

Two to three mobile satellite system operators will be selected to provide the mobile satellite services using the 2GHz radio spectrum by the beginning of 2009.

The current EU telecom rules mean mobile satellite service operators are selected at a national level, leading to different selection and authorisation techniques between countries.