Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

**COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES**

**Brussels, 05.03.1997**
**COM(97)** **91 final**

**COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION**

**TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,**

**THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE**

**AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS**

###### **EU Action Plan:** **Satellite communications in the Information Society**

_page_ _2_

_**1.**_ _**Introduction**_

Europe must take a more proactive and consistent approach in the satellite communication area.
Under the combined influence of strong technological progress, deregulation and the drive for
convergence between the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors, developments in
satellite communication sector are of strategic and commercial importance.

New requirements emerging for the Information Society are demanding high performance
access and back-bone infrastructures. Space-based infrastructures will increasingly meet key
user requirements such as personal mobility, access to the powerful, high capacity, broadband
evolution of Internet, fast response times, and global connectivity.

**Global satellite infrastructures will thus become a critical part of the world's economic**
**system.**

Furthermore, satellite communications systems are becoming an important tool in supporting
peace-time operations and space-based systems in general have a distinct defence implication.
Moreover, the geographic coverage of space-based infrastructures favours improved social and
economic cohesion in connecting peripheral and less advanced regions.

**As a result, a strong and coherent satellite communications industry and services** sector
is **of high economic and political importance for Europe.**

It will provide critical leverage over the development and spread of new applications in the
Information Society and over their geographical distribution.

US led initiatives for satellite based communication systems of global coverage, particularly in the
area of Satellite Personal Communications (S-PCS) and advanced broadband multimedia
satellite systems are clearly emerging today. Should Europe not react in a coordinated manner,
there is a high risk from being kept out of the most promising market segments (services and
equipment), in the long run this would have consequences on the European position in launching
services. Furthermore, keeping control over space segment design is important to maintain the
control over end-to-end service provision definition and terminal design.

The **key driving** force **for** being **a major player** in **space is the** achievement of successful
commercial services and applications.

The revenues generated in the various market segments (satellite, terminals and services) by
the innovative satellite personal communications systems and the advanced broadband satellite
systems are expected to reach **400 billion US$ over the next** ten **years.**

Expected **revenues over the next** **10** years

Traditional Satellite Personal Communications Satellite
Geostationary and Advanced Broadband Systems Navigation
Satellites 15-20 BnUS$ 15BnUS$ 0.8-1 Bn US$
Terminals 60-90 Bn US$ 130BnUS$ 27-38 Bn US$
Services 100-150 Bn US$ **>250** Bn US $ 30-45 Bn US$

_page 3_

Satellite Personal Communications Services (S-PCS) systems will offer voice, low data rate and
fax services to small, inexpensive pocket size terminals from a global constellation of Low Earth
Orbiting (LEOs) satellite constellations. However, out of the 17 such systems notified todate, all
of them but one is of US origin, although only a limited number is expected to be viable.
Although European industry participates in these projects with various degrees of involvement,
none of the systems have gotten _a European leading position._

For advanced broadband multimedia services, satellite systems with very high capacity allow for
high rate direct user access with interactive low cost user terminals. These systems are
expected to play an important role as advanced Internet access and will be launched early next
century. Again, the majority of proposed systems is of US origin. Out of the 16 proposed US
systems, all of them but two are based on geostationary constellations. Of these, the Teledesic
system proposes a Low Earth Orbit constellation with a blossoming 840 satellites costing 9
billion US$, while Motorola has announced its M-STAR project for 6.1 Billion US$.

European reactions to the many US systems, although late, were introduced at the end of 95.
Four entities have so far declared interest in the matter and have booked frequencies and orbital
positions in the Ka band. However, the absence of a critical mass of initiatives and of a publicprivate partnership which could provide the necessary confidence to the financial markets, have
thusfar limited the prospects for such European ventures. The situation is even worse in the SPCS case, where no European proposal yet exists.

So, despite the tremendous efforts over the last 30 years, the European satellite equipment
and service industry is not well placed to achieve the position in **the** commercial space
sector needed to support the ambitions of the European Union to remain a major player in this
sector.

**The potential consequences of this perspective should not be underestimated** as first
movers will have clear advantages in the market.

The recently adopted Communication on the European Union and Space [1] highlights the need for
action in order to establish an appropriate environment for the development of space
applications and to improve the competitiveness of European industry at world level. In the
Communication, the Commission stated its intention to launch a specific Action Plan on Satellite
Communications [2] .

In this Communication, the Commission presents the Action Plan to Council and the European
Parliament, **a** draft of which has been consulted with industry.

"The European Union and Space: Fostering Applications, Markets and Industrial Competitiveness"
COM(96)617, of 4 December 1996
2 In addition an action plan on global Navigation by Satellite Systems is being prepared by the
Commission, which should be presented to the Council and the European Parliament before the summer.
Synergies between these two fields of activities should be developed notably in the areas of R&D and
product development.

_page 4_

_**2.**_ _**Objectives of the Action Plan**_

In 1996 two major reports were made available by Industrial Groups: the High Level Industry
Group [3] and the IRDAC working group on space telecommunications and navigation [4] . The
Reports underlined urgent need for political action in view of the important role of satellite
communications in the Information Society.

Further to these initiatives, a meeting was held on 10 October 1996 in Paris by Commissioners
Bangemann and Cresson with EU Ministers and Representatives of Industry with a view to
reinforce co-operation in satellite communications between the private and public sector.

The meeting confirmed that Europe risks missing out on very important emerging markets for
global satellite communications systems, for reasons attributed to **a number of factors,**
including the regulatory and financial environment, industrial structures, and technological
elements.

Consequently, **the need to react** was stressed by all participants. Actions should primarily
emerge through private sector initiatives. The public partners on the other hand, including the
Commission, **committed themselves to support, on the basis of their respective**
**competences and roles,** these initiatives from the industry.

It was also recognised that, although European industry capabilities are in many respects similar
to those of their competitors, a market perspective is lacking **and a strategic vision needs to**
**be developed in close concertation with all relevant actors,** including industry, operators and
Member States. The elaboration of such a vision is thus a primary objective of this Action Plan
and should form the basis for action at the European level, which in view of the subsidiarity
principle should concentrate on:

  - **completing the EU internal market** and removing the remaining barriers to the creation
of the home market for European satellite communications manufacturing and services
industry;

  - **improving co-ordination** between the actors in order **to reinforce the European**

**position** in international fora and in international markets;

  - **reinforcing market orientation of EU research and development** in the satellite
communications sector and increasing synergies between R&D for various areas of
satellite technology and applications.

The meeting also underlined the need to promote competition on European markets and to
compete actively on international markets.

The Action Plan hereafter outlined is thus aimed at the elaboration of a strategic vision
particularly relating to:

- **strengthening the role for European** services and manufacturing industry **in** global,
**advanced broadband, multimedia satellite** systems, services, and applications;

3 "Report of Industry High Level Group on Space", chaired by Mr.Delaye, 30 Jan 1996
4 "Final Report on Priority Actions for Satellite Communications and Satellite Navigation", IRDAC
(Industrial Research and Development Advisory Committee of the European Commission) Working Group
on Satellites, October 1996

_page 5_

**advancing the European position in global satellite personal communications** systems,
services, and applications, particularly in relation to its integration **in the future Universal**
**Mobile Telecommunications Services (UMTS) environment.**

The following sections present a set of actions aimed at completing the Internal Market,
reinforcing Europe's industrial and political position internationally, and reinforcing European
research and development efforts.

_**3.**_ _**The completion of the Internal Market in satellite**_ _**communications**_

**3.1.** **Identification of remaining barriers to the internal market**

Despite the liberalisation of the EU satellite communication market, the penetration of satellite
technologies for the creation of transborder services and applications remains significantly lower
in the EU than in other industrialised countries. There are three main reasons for this:

- The implementation of relevant EU legal measures, especially the Directive liberalising the
satellite communications services and equipment sectors, faces difficulties in certain Member
States thereby hampering the development of a substantial home market for the European
satellite communications industry [5] .

- There may be cases where existing of planned EU legal measures do not suffice to effectively
create a competitive internal market and further measures may be required in order to ensure
that the regulatory framework is completed.

- Recent reports indicate that insufficient harmonisation of authorisation procedures and the
absence of co-ordination between national authorisation procedures are an insurmountable
barrier to the use of satellite communications.

This lack of harmonisation may seriously hamper the imminent introduction of satellite personal
communications and advanced broadband multi-media satellite services in Europe.

The following action will be taken:

A1. The Commission **will** **step-up efforts to achieve full implementation of all EU**
**legislation** relevant for satellite communications. The Commission will also **request**
**industry to provide regular information on the basis of a systematic overview of all**
**barriers** found in relation to the introduction of satellite communications systems and
services.

In particular, the timely and effective implementation of the Council and European Parliament
Decision on Satellite PCS [6] and the Council and European Parliament Directive on licensing [7] will
be a priority.

For example, Satellite Directive 94/46/EC (based on Article 90) is not yet implemented in 5 Member
States: the Commission has started infringement procedures. The Satellite Equipment Directive 93/97/EEC
(based on Article 100a) is not yet implemented in 4 Member States: the Commission has sent reasoned
opinions to them.
6 Council adopted a Common Position with a view to adopt a "Decision of the European Parliament
and of the Council on a co-ordinated authorisation approach in the field of satellite-personal communications
services in the European Union". Final adoption foreseen for March 1997.

_page 6_

**3.2. Review of effectiveness and timeliness of CEPT measures and procedures**

The work achieved by the CEPT [8] in recent years has contributed substantially to the further
development of the satellite communications market in Europe. Furthermore, CEPT measures
increasingly become a basis for the implementation of Union regulatory policies.

The CEPT framework of intergovernmental co-operation and voluntary adoption of its proposed
measures by its members however have not yet proven to be sufficiently effective. The demands
which the marketplace puts on CEPT will only increase with the imminent full liberalisation of the
EU telecommunications market. As evidenced by the efforts in the area of satellite PCS, it
appears that the harmonisation tasks in particular are more complex than anticipated whereas is
of utmost importance for CEPT procedures and measures to be efficient and timely.

The following actions will be taken:

A2. The Commission will **request industry to identify regulatory barriers, allowing the**
**Commission to formulate regulatory measures** needed in the satellite communications
sector, as well as report on the effectiveness of the measures taken to date.

A3. The Commission will request **CEPT to accelerate efforts** in the harmonisation of
authorisation conditions and in harmonised use of frequency bands, **to review its current**
**structure and procedures with a view to increase the efficiency** of its regulatory
decisions making procedures and their implementation. The Commission will seek to
improve its co-operative efforts with CEPT in order to enable CEPT **to support better the**
**EU policies.**

This concerns both CEPT measures which affect the internal market as well as those which
affect the international position.

**3.3. Review of effectiveness and timeliness of European standardisation efforts.**

Since its creation in 1988, ETSI has been contributing very effectively to global standardisation
in the satellite communications area, particularly in developing standards needed for typeapproval purposes under EU legislation. The ETSI effort has largely concentrated on the
standards for traditional satellite earth station equipment.

In view of the next generation of personal and advanced multimedia services, a redirection of
ETSI's work programme may be required, aimed at integrating satellite communications into the
overall mobile communication and intelligent network activities and into the multi-media
environment.

The following actions will be taken:

A4. The Commission will request **ETSI to review its overall satellite communications work**

**programme** with the aim to ensure, whilst allowing innovation, continued, efficient and
appropriate, standard development in accordance with the priority actions identified in this
Action Plan with the aim to ensuring the development of a fully competitive market.

7 Council adopted a Common Position a view to adopting a "Directive of the European Parliament
and of the Council on a common framework for general authorizations and individual licences in the field of
telecommunications services". Final adoption foreseen for March 1997.
8 CEPT = Conférence Européenne des Postes et Télécommunication

_page_ _7_

**A5.** In particular, the **standardisation of advanced, broadband multi-media satellite**
**terminals** for mass market use is an urgent and continuing requirement which needs to be
addressed with ETSI, CENELEC and industry.

**3.4. Review of future functioning of the International Satellite Organisations**

The International Satellite Organisations INTELSAT, INMARSAT, and EUTELSAT have been of
major importance in the development of satellite communications over the last decades. As they
face increased competition in large parts of the world, the ISO's are discussing their future role
and structure in the evolution from the current intergovernmental nature of the organisations.
The European Union needs to develop a common policy vis-à-vis the future of these
organisations and their commercial spin-offs in order to develop a fully competitive framework in
Europe. Moreover, the Commission will continue to review the International Satellite
Organisations' structure and behaviour in the context of the Compton rules of the Treaty.

The following action is foreseen:

A6. On the basis of information to be supplied by Member States and the private sector, the
Commission will continue to **review of the developments concerning the International**
**Satellite Organisations** and take the appropriate steps with a view to ensure that these
developments contribute to the achievement of a fully competitive satellite communications
marketplace.

_**4.**_ _**The reinforcement of the European position at a international**_ _**level**_

In order to increase the viability of its satellite communications sector, the following major issues
that Europe needs to address are:

 - effective access to markets, served by increasingly global satellite systems, taking fully into
account the results of the recently concluded WTO Negotiations on Basic
Telecommunications which are a major step forward in this context. Most of the offers from
the 69 countries in the Negotiations include the liberalisation of the satellite communications
services sector. It will be crucial to ensure that the commitments made by each country are
fully implemented;

 - access to orbital slots and frequencies, needed to position satellites, particularly in relation to
Ka-band spectrum for advanced, broadband multimedia satellites; The WTO agreement on
basic telecommunications include, for most countries, specific provisions on the need to
allocate frequencies in an objective and transparent manner and not more burdensome than
necessary. It is essential that each country fully respects these GATS disciplines.

 - a successful strategy of co-operation and partnerships with nations around the world as a
basis to develop further the European technological base in global markets and for the social
and economic benefit of these nations.

The following actions will be taken:

**Improve market access:**

**A7.** The Commission will now focus on the full implementation of the commitments of
countries in the framework of the recently concluded WTO Negotiations on Basic

_page 8_

Telecommunications. Furthermore, the Commission will carry out, whilst consulting
industry, an in-depth **analysis of trade policy implications regarding international**
**satellite communications** issues and, for those areas where appropriate, make
**proposals to remove in a systematic fashion the remaining market access barriers.**
**The** Commission will also put forward **proposals for the co-ordination of positions of**
**EU Member States** in **international** fora.

**Secure access to orbits and frequencies:**

**A8.** The Commission will **review the economic and trade issues related to**
**orbits/frequencies** in the light of the new GATS obligations and report to Council and
Parliament.

A9. The Commission, together with CEPT and industry, **will review the European strategy**
**in** **Tl** **sectors** i.e. standardisation, radiocommunications, development on satellite
communications.

**Enhance the industrial position in international markets:**

**A10.** The Commission, in partnership with industry, will **assess** on a systematic basis the
**global market opportunities, intellectual property rights issues relating to**
**technology,** and **the role of potential European-led initiatives** and formulate the
appropriate supporting political actions.

**A11.** The Commission, assisted by industry, will **evaluate the opportunities arising from**
**increased political and technological/industrial co-operation between EU and**
**third countries including the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, China and developing**
**countries.** In view of the importance to associate the developing countries in this area,
the Commission will also evaluate the use of the EU development funds. Moreover, the
Commission will propose the necessary measures to stimulate a stronger presence of
Europe in international markets.

**A12.** The Commission will take the appropriate measures to promote effective competition in
this field at a world level and continue to ensure that the operation of global satellite
systems does not impede competition on the relevant European markets, in conformity
with Treaty.

_**5.**_ _**Reinforcement of European R&D and Applications**_ _**Development**_

Considering the key role of R&D support in the sector, the reinforcement of the R&D and
applications development is crucial and should aim at the implementation of market driven
advanced satellite communication systems, services and applications. R&D and applications
development could be carried out in the context of the 4th and of the preparation of the 5th
Framework Programmes as well as the TEN-Telecom programme in conformity with the
procedures in force, in close co-operation with industry (including SMEs), space agencies and
Member States through the development of a long term plan and associated priorities.

Concrete actions to be taken in the R&D field could include:

**A13.** **Identification of possible complementary actions at the framework programme**
**level** with Space Agencies, industry and Member States ensuring complementarity of
work programmes . Specific objectives will be:

_page 9_

   - to ensure that the various policies adopt a coherent and synergetic approach based
on those areas where the European Union dimension provides added value.

   - to put in place co-operation mechanisms between the Commission, Space Agencies
notably ESA, and industry to identify priorities and ensure complementarity of work

programmes.

   - to review, in order to improve complementarity of R&D actions, possibilities offered
by Article 130 K and L.

**A14.** **R&D actions** in view of the early implementation of the recommendations already
elaborated on the basis of market requirements and hereafter outlined:

    - **Development of generic technologies in common with related sectors.** This
concerns miniturisation and cost optimisation of the basic building blocks allowing
construction of communication payloads including baseband components, RF blocks,
and subsystems, high power platforms technologies including power systems,
software and networking technology. For the ground segment, a key factor is the
development of technologies leading to the manufacturing of low cost user terminals.
Experience is available in Europe in these fields but needs to be developed further.

    - **Implementation of early demonstrations/pilot networks.** Pilot systems involving
potential operators, terminal manufacturers and service providers should be
stimulated, as they constitute the best way to prove the system's viability when
deployed over a significant user base.

    - **Specification of innovative systems supporting advanced services.** Recent
system developments (particularly in the US) have shown how complex satellite
systems will support advanced and improved services. The availability of enhanced
tools would benefit European industry by allowing it to minimise design risks from the
outset, especially in the fields of network management and reconfiguration of global
constellations of many satellites.

    - **Improvement** **of** **manufacturing** **processes.** Advanced technologies and
applications deployment, and the development of mass production technologies is
essential for the manufacturing of inexpensive terminals in a highly competitive mass
market, especially by small and medium sized enterprises.

    - **Identification of European R&D and applications development actions with**
**value-added for Europe,** particularly those which contribute to industrial
competitiveness as well as to social and economic cohesion.

The above R&D actions will also benefit other areas of space, notably in the field of
navigation and earth observation. These synergetic effect are most useful and will be
stimulated and closely coordinated in the context of the overall R&D action for space
which is presently considered in the Commission Working Paper "Towards the 5th
Framework Programme: Scientific and Technological Objectives" (COM(97)47 final).

**A15.** In the context of the preparation of the 5th Framework Programme, the need for prenormative research in this field will be considered in order to assist notably in the area
of a multimode (terrestrial-satellite) user terminal for broadband satellite mobile

_page_ _10_

applications and in the area of transmit-receive broadband terminals to be used in
uncoordinated mode with broadband multimedia space communication systems.

**6.** _**Conclusions**_

The key importance for Europe of satellite communications and the need to move ahead and
establish a private/public partnership in this area were identified through a number of studies and
confirmed at a high level the meeting between Commission, Member States and industry.

The Commission anticipates that industry, in parallel to the work on the Action Plan and as a first
step in its adoption, will move ahead and initiate the necessary actions within industry itself to
facilitate the development of a longer-term vision of EU satellite communications policy in its
international context and to implement the corresponding actions and priorities in co-ordination
with CEPT, ESA, and other entities in the satellite sector.

**A16.** To facilitate the development of a longer-term vision of EU satellite communications
policy in its international context, the **Commission will ensure an appropriate**
**interface with industry comprising of representatives of relevant industry sectors**
(network operators, service providers, equipment manufacturers, content providers,
users and consumers)in view of supporting the Commission in the implementation of
the Action Plan and on the priorities and requirements for their supporting actions.

The following tentative timeschedule is foreseen for the Actions presented in this plan:

1. Internal Market

o implementation of legislation: January 1998
<=> requests to industry, CEPT, ETSI: July 1997
«=> first industry input: October 1997
^> completion CEPT review: October 1997
«=> completion ETSI review: October 1997

2. International level

«=> Implementation of WTO obligations: January 1998 [9 ]

^ analysis general trade policy implications: July 1997

            - => review trade issues orbits/frequencies: July 1997
<=> review relations with third countries: end 1997

3. R&D and applications development

=> completion of a first review of complimentary actions: October 1997
=> Actions under 4th Framework Programme: last half 1997

            - => Actions for 5th Framework Programme: according to time

tables foreseen

4. Creation of an appropriate interface EC-industry May 1997

A number of actions are of a continuous nature and will be reviewed regularly in consultation
with industry.

Unless otherwise stipulated in the agreement

_page 11_

With this Communication, the Commission presents **its EU Action Plan: Satellite**
**Communications in the Information Society.**

The Commission underlines its belief that coherent, joint Actions between private and public
partners as well as the political support of EU Member States, Council, and European
Parliament, will provide an important boost to this high technology sector vital for employment,
competitiveness and control over end-to-end service provision. The Commission further believes
that the conditions must be created to ensure that effective competition is created at all levels of
the market in the satellite sector to enable the European Union to play an important role in
putting in place the much needed global information infrastructures and associated services and
applications which are critical to the Information Society and the world's economic system.

_page_ _12_

**The completion of the Internal Market**

**A1.** The Commission **will** **step-up efforts to achieve full implementation of all EU**
**legislation** relevant for satellite communications. The Commission will also **request**
**industry to provide regular information on the basis of a systematic overview of all**
**barriers** found in relation to the introduction of satellite communications systems and
services.

A2. The Commission will **request industry to identify regulatory barriers, allowing the**
**Commission** **to** **formulate** **regulatory** **measures** needed in the satellite
communications sector, as well as report on the effectiveness of the measures taken to
date.

A3. The Commission will request **CEPT to accelerate efforts** in the harmonisation of
authorisation conditions and in harmonised use of frequency bands, **to review its**
**current structure and procedures with a view to increase the efficiency** of its
regulatory decisions making procedures and their implementation. The Commission will
seek to improve its co-operative efforts with CEPT in order to enable CEPT **to support**
**better the EU policies.**

**A4.** The Commission will request **ETSI to review its overall satellite communications**
**work programme** with the aim to ensure, whilst allowing innovation, continued, efficient
and appropriate, standard development in accordance with the priority actions identified
in this Action Plan with the aim to ensuring the development of a fully competitive market.

A5. In particular, the **standardisation of advanced, broadband multi-media satellite**
**terminals** for mass market use is an urgent and continuing requirement which needs to
be addressed with ETSI, CENELEC and industry.

A6. On the basis of information to be supplied by Member States and the private sector, the
Commission will continue to **review of the developments** **concerning the**
**International Satellite Organisations** and take the appropriate steps with a view to
ensure that these developments contribute to the achievement of a fully competitive
satellite communications marketplace.

**The reinforcement of the European position at an international level.**

**A7.** The Commission will now focus on the full implementation of the commitments of
countries in the framework of the recently concluded WTO Negotiations on Basic
Telecommunications. Furthermore, the Commission will carry out, whilst consulting
industry, an in-depth **analysis of trade policy implications regarding international**
**satellite communications** issues and, for those areas where appropriate, make
**proposals to remove in a systematic fashion the remaining market access barriers.**
**The** Commission will also put forward **proposals for the co-ordination of positions of**
**EU Member States** in international fora.

_page_ _13_

**A8.** The Commission will **review the economic and trade issues related to**
**orbits/frequencies** and report to Council and Parliament.

A9. The Commission, together with CEPT and industry, **will review the European strategy**

**in ITU sectors** i.e. standardisation, radiocommunications, development on satellite
communications.

**A10.** The Commission, in partnership with industry, will **assess** on a systematic basis the
**global market opportunities, intellectual property rights issues relating** to
**technology,** and **the role of potential European-led initiatives** and formulate the
appropriate supporting political actions.

**A11.** The Commission, assisted by industry, will **evaluate the opportunities arising from**
**increased political and technological/industrial co-operation between EU and**
**third countries including the US, Russia, Canada, Japan and developing**
**countries.** In view of the importance to associate the developing countries in this area,
the Commission will also evaluate the use of the EUdevelopment funds. Moreover, the
Commission will propose the necessary measures to stimulate a stronger presence of
Europe in international markets.

**A12.** The Commission will take the appropriate measures to promote effective competition in
this field at a world level and continue to ensure that the operation of global satellite
systems does not impede competition on the relevant European markets, in conformity
with Treaty.

**Reinforcement of EU R&D support and Applications Development**

**A13.** **Identification of possible complementary actions at the framework programme**
**level** with Space Agencies notably ESA, industry and Member States ensuring
complementarity of work programmes .

**A14. R&D actions under the Fourth Framework Programme and use of such actions** as
**preparatory work for the Fifth Framework Programme** in view of the early
implementation of the recommendations already elaborated on the basis of market
requirements.

**A15.** **In the context of the preparation of the 5th Framework Programme, the need** for
**pre-normative research in this field will be considered in order to assist** notably in
the area of a multimode (terrestrial-satellite) user terminal for broadband satellite mobile
applications and in the area of transmit-receive broadband terminals to be used in
uncoordinated mode with broadband multimedia space communication systems.

_**Conclusions**_

**A16.** To facilitate the development of a longer-term vision of EU satellite communications
policy in its international context, the **Commission will ensure an** appropriate
**interface with industry comprising of representatives of relevant industry** sectors
(network operators, service providers, equipment manufacturers, content providers,
users and consumers) in view of supporting the Commission in the implementation of
the Action Plan on the priorities and requirements for their supporting actions.

## **_M_**

**ISSN 0254-1475**

### **COM(97) 91 final**

# **DOCUMENTS**

#### EN 15 16 Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-089-EN-C

##### ISBN 92-78- 16660-X

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