Satellite personal communication services in the Union: Community action

Adopted in EMAC was the report by Mr Karl HOPPENSTEDT (D, EPP) on satellite personal communication services in the EU. During first reading last May, it became clear that the Commission proposal had caused particularly negative reactions in the member states. In the case of sensitive issues like the licensing of telecommunications and the allocation of frequencies, a proposal based on harmonization and on the delegation of wide-ranging powers to the Commission could not be accepted. The rapporteur, who had tabled amendments at first reading seeking to build a bridge between the laudable aims of the Commission and the Council's reluctance, is now recommending acceptance of the common position. EU-level licences have now disappeared and the Commission has not been granted the full negotiating mandate it was requesting. On the other hand, Member States have strongly committed themselves to coordinating their selection procedures for service providers and to ensuring a harmonized use of the system. The only amendment to the common position is merely an adjustment to the timetable for harmonizing and operating 1.6/2.4 GHz and 1.9/2.1 GHz frequency bands. �