Satellite communications: the provision of and access to space segment capacity

In its communication, the Commission states that greater development of and access to the space segment are essential if Europe is to optimise its potential for participating in the development of new satellite communications technologies and maintain its position on the world market. The Commission therefore feels that action should centre on: - guaranteeing direct access to the space segment throughout the European Union, including the special space segment provided by international satellite telecommunications organizations. In order to achieve this objective, the Commission will use every means at its disposal to abolish current restrictions, especially by applying the provisions of the Treaty and competition rules; - joint action by the Member States to reform the international satellite telecommunications organizations, especially EUTELSAT, and adapt these organizations to new regulatory and market requirements; - joint management of the space segment, which qualifies as a common Union resource, especially as regards future applications for orbital positions filed with the International Telecommunications Union and related radio-frequency coordination and allocation procedures; - measures to allow comparable and effective access in third countries in parallel to the liberalization of the Union market; - including satellite-based services in the trans-European network programmes as a matter of priority, especially as regards new technologies.�