COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 05.03.1997 
COM(97)101 final 
95/0274 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's amendments 
to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
ON A COORDINATED 
AUTHORIZATION APPROACH IN THE FIELD OF SATELLITE 
PERSONAL-COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

1. BACKGROUND 
On 8 November 1995 the Commission adopted a proposal for a European Parliament 
and Council Decision on an action at a Union level in the field of 
satellite personal communications services in the European Union (COM(95)529), 
which was formally transmitted to the EP and the Council on 10 November 1995. 
The Economic and Social Committee gave its opinion on 25 April 19961. The 
European Parliament adopted a favourable opinion in its resolution at its first reading 
on 19 June 1996, and proposed 22 amendments to the Commission proposal2. 
On 14 October 1996 the Commission adopted a modified proposal in conformity with 
Article 189A, paragraph 2 of the Treaty, incorporating most of the EP amendments 
(COM(96)467)3. 
On 9 December 1996 the Council, acting in accordance with Article 189 B, paragraph 
2 of the Treaty, adopted a common position on the proposed Decision4. This common 
position is based on a compromise proposal from the Presidency and deviates 
substantially from the original Commission proposal. 
In second reading, the European Parliament adopted on 20 February 1997 one 
amendment to the common position. 
2. PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
Within 2-4 years, a new generation of satellite systems will become operational, 
offering mobile telecommunication services around the globe. The decision aims at 
ensuring in a timely fashion the introduction of satellite personal communications 
services (S-PCS) in the European Union by means of a co-ordinated action at a Union 
level between Member States. 
The proposal included the selection, where necessary, of satellite personal 
communications space segment operators; adoption of common conditions to be 
attached to authorisations for S-PCS space segment operators; the harmonisation of 
1 TRA/303, 18.4.96 
2 A4-0179/96, PV 19.06.96 
3 Amended proposal fora EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION on a common 
framework fot the harmonised development of satellite personal communications services in the 
European Union /* COM/96/0467 FINAL - COD 95/0274 */ OFFICIAL JOURNAL NO. C 350 , 
21/1 1/1996 P. 0014 
COMMON POSITION (EC) No 6/97 adopted by the Council on 9 December 1996 with a view 
to the adoption of Decision No .../97/EC of ... of the European Parliament and of the Council on 
a coordinated authorization approach in the field of satellite personal communication services in 
the Community OFFICIAL JOURNAL NO. C 041 , 10/02/1997 P. 0037 
where required, appropriate measures for equipment circulation and use; and the 
establishment of a dialogue and, where appropriate, negotiations between the 
European Union and third countries in order to establish international co-operation to 
promote the development of S-PCS and remove obstacles to their development. 
3. OPINION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AMENDMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT 
The Commission can accept, without changes, the amendment adopted by the 
Parliament in second reading. 
• The amendment proposes a realistic time schedule to avoid that adoption of the 
Decision would be later than finalisation of activities decided upon in the Decision 
4. MODIFIED PROPOSAL 
On 9 December 1996 the Commission has adopted its opinion on the Common 
Position of the Council with a view to the adoption of a decision of the European 
Parliament and of the Council on a coordinated authorization approach in the field of 
satellite personal-communication services in the community, by which it accepted the 
revised text for the proposed Decision. 
Following the second reading of the draft Decision by the European Parliament, the 
Commission herewith modifies its proposal for a Decision including the amendment 
which was adopted by the European Parliament on 20 February 1997. 
AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR 
A DECISION ON A COORDINATED AUTHORIZATION APPROACH IN THE FIELD OF 
SATELLITE PERSONAL-COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTIVE 
OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 
H 
Timetable 
(following amendment) 
1997 
March/April 
March 
March 
July Work on mandates on 
harmonization for the 
1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands 
One-stop-shopping 
procedure for services 
planning to operate in the 
1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands 
Determination whether the 
scarcity of frequencies in 
the 1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands represents a 
constraint on the number 
of satellite 
personal-communications 
services which can be 
provided in those bands in 
the Community 
Harmonization of 
procedures for the 
authorization of systems 
planning to operate in the 
1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands. 1997 
July 
July 
July 
September Work on mandates on 
harmonization for the 
1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands 
One-stop-shopping 
procedure for services 
planning to operate in the 
1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands 
Determination whether the 
scarcity of frequencies in 
the 1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands represents a 
constraint on the number 
of satellite 
personal-communications 
services which can be 
provided in those bands in 
the Community 
Harmonization " of 
procedures for the 
authorization of systems 
planning to operate in the 
1.6/2.4 GHz and 
1.9/2.1 GHz frequency 
bands. 

ISSN 0254-1475 
C0M(97) 101 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 15 06 10 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-085-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-16616-2 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg