Satellite personal communication services in the Union: Community action

Parliament adopted the report by Mr Karsten HOPPENSTEDT (PPE, D) on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision on an action at Union level in the field of satellite personal communications services in the European Union. While the report is at one with the Commission's concern to arrive at a harmonized Community approach as early as possible, it rejects the idea of a selection of satellite PCS space segment operators and the granting of licences by the Commission, on the basis that there would only be a small number of global competitors in this sector. While respecting the national competence for granting licences the report proposes that a harmonized Community approach should be included in the 'licences directive' framework, while extending harmonization concerns to the individual licences. Concerning the international aspect, the EP called on the Council to draw up, by 31 December 1996, a common position on the allocation of the frequencies necessary for the operation of S-PCS, and if necessary to give the Commission a mandate to negotiate within the relevant international bodies, particularly the International Telecommunications Union, and, where appropriate, with relevant third countries with a view to establishing the conditions of access to space segment and the obligations to be attached to authorizations for space segment operators. �