Satellite personal communication services in the Union: Community action

OBJECTIVE: to facilitate the rapid introduction of compatible satellite personal-communication services (S-PCS) in the Community on the basis of the principles of the internal market, in accordance within a comparable time-frame and by means of a coordinated approach. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Decision 710/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on a coordinated authorization approach in the field of satellite personal-communication services in the Community. SUBSTANCE: the Decision concerns the adoption of harmonized conditions for the granting of authorization for satellite personal-communication services. It assigns an important role to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), on which it confers a mandate to harmonize by September 1997 the frequencies and authorization conditions for S-PCS. However, the Decision makes it possible to take decisions at Community level if the work of the CEPT does not progress satisfactorily. If it proves necessary to limit the number of authorizations for S-PCS, because of the limited nature of the frequency spectrum available, Member States are to coordinate their authorization procedures with the aim of authorizing the same services throughout the Community. The Decision also lays down the role of the Commission in the one-stop shopping procedure applicable to general authorizations and individual licences. As regards commitology, a type II(b) regulatory committee is to deal with most issues, while an advisory committee will deal with mandates conferred on the CEPT. As regards international aspects, if Community organizations encounter difficulties with regard to the introduction of S-PCS in third countries, the Commission may make proposals to the Council with the aim of securing a mandate to negotiate with the third countries in question. ENTRY INTO FORCE: from 13/05/1997 to 13/05/2000. �