TELECOMMUNICATIONS : INDUSTRY GEARED UP FOR SATELLITE MOBILE SERVICES PROJECT.

Satellite operators and their terrestrial partners are getting impatient. They claim they are ready to provide pan-European mobile services on certain frequencies reserved for this purpose (the 2 GHz band, known as the S band') as of 2009. The industry should thus largely participate in the initial exchange of opinions in the European Parliament's Industry Committee, on 19 December in Brussels. According to the European Commission's draft decision, presented in August, it is a question of establishing a pan-European selection of candidate satellite operators for the use of this band. The national authorities will also be required to coordinate their authorisations for the use of the frequencies.

The idea is to move quickly. For the Commission, the selection process should be completed by the beginning of 2009, following the publication as early as possible in 2008 of an invitation to tender.

The Council, however, is rather sceptical as to the possibility of acheving a real pan-European coverage. It is therefore awaiting the opinion of the Parliament. With regard to the industry, there was some annoyance upon seeing the EP's calendar: the vote at first reading is anticipated for April 2008. As for the Slovenian Presidency of the EU, it will attempt to obtain a political agreement at the Telecommunications Council of 12 and 13 June.

But at this stage, member states fear that certain areas may not be covered, at the expense of users, with the risk of creating a two-speed Europe'. Some want to make pan-European coverage a prerequisite' for the admission of a candidate. A specific reference to rural areas has also been requested.

In any case, the major European satellite operators are in the running. For the occasion, Eutelsat and SES ASTRA have reached an agreement. Contacted by telephone, France's Eutelsat explained having anticipated, together with its partner, an investment of 130 million to start up a technology on the S band' on board a satellite which will in any event be launched. The idea is to provide mobile, interactive and video services. The following countries will initially be covered: France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Germany and Italy. A second generation satellite could extend the project to the whole of the EU.

Inmarsat has not yet announced anything, but is concentrating on projects relating to mobile television and data transfer, specified the European satellite operator.

TWO SELECTION PHASES

Two selection...