Mutual recognition of licences for the provision of satellite network services

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr HOPPENSTEDT (PPE, D) on the mutual recognition of licences for the provision of satellite network services. The proposal for a directive aimed to complete the internal market in the field of satellite network services and satellite communications. In accordance with the procedure on mutual recognition, a service provider having obtained a licence in one Member State would be authorised to offer satellite communication services in the rest of the Community. As far as the European Parliament was concerned, it was not a question of drawing up a policy but rather of establishing restrictive legal provisions with a view to the mutual recognition of licences. In this area, Parliament felt that a change in the legal basis was necessary so that the Council could rule by qualified majority rather than unanimously. Further, although the report supported the limitation on the granting of licences to providers of foreign services, since it was important for Community enterprises to have real access to the market of these same third countries, it considered that there was no need to refer to the origin or composition of the capital of enterprises operating in the Community. The European Parliament also approved the report by Mr HOPPENSTEDT on the draft directive aimed at amending two directives concerning competition in the markets for terminals and telecommunications services. Parliament felt that the text could be approved in general with several amendments, in particular the amendment concerning the special exclusive rights whose definition and scope should be clarified, as far as the rapporteur was concerned. �