Satellite personal communication services in the Union: Community action

The common position, whilst retaining the overall objective of the Commission to facilitate the rapid introduction of satellite personal communications services (PCS) in the Community, constitutes a substantial shift in approach from that envisaged by the Commission, reflecting the broad lines of the common position on the Licencing Directive. The main changes of substance to the proposal concern the following points: - the scope of the decision is limited to facilitating the rapid introduction of compatible satellite PCS in the Community, rather than establishing the principle of specific action at Community level; - the article relating to definitions is deleted; - rather than establishing a selection process for space segment operators, the common position places the emphasis on the adoption of harmonized conditions for authorizations of satellite PCS; - the common position accords an important role to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), since it awards it a mandate to harmonize frequency use and conditions attached to authorizations for satellite PCS. The common position does, however, provide for the possibility of action at Community level, through a regulatory committee procedure where work within CEPT is not progressing at a satisfactory pace; - the Commission's role in the operation of the one-stop shopping procedure for general authorizations and individual licences is clarified; - with regard to commitology, provision is made for a II(B) type regulatory committee procedure for most matters, as well as an advisory committee in relation to the mandates for the CEPT; - as regards international aspects, the Commission may, where Community organizations encounter difficulties in third countries, submit proposals to the Council for a negotiating mandate with the third countries in question. �