The interested entities will be able to send their applications to the EC until October 7th, 2008. During the first phase of the selection process, the EC will look at the technical and commercial abilities of the candidates to launch their systems in time. The second phase will specifically focus on:
- The speed at which all Member States (MS) will be covered
- The services provided in rural areas
- The number of end-users to be served
- The capacity of the system to fulfill public policy objectives
- Spectrum efficiency

This call for applications follows the joint decision of the European Parliament (EP) and of the Council of the European Union (EU) of June 30th, 2008, “on the selection and authorisation of systems providing mobile satellite services”. This decision allows for the first time the competition of satellite operators under a single European selection procedure.

MS will have to ensure that the selected candidates have the right to operate in their country. The EC expects the selection process to be closed at the beginning of 2009, depending on the amount of applications submitted. The first satellite launches could take place in 2009.

Mrs Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, said that “Mobile satellite services represent an unprecedented opportunity for all Europeans to access new communication services, and this not only in metropolitan areas, but also in rural and less populated regions”. Indeed, mobile satellite systems have the capability to cover a large territory and reach areas where such services were economically unviable before. The new European selection procedure could allow companies to offer innovative wireless services throughout Europe over a specifically reserved spectrum as of 2009.

Next steps:
- Deadline for applications: October 7th, 2008
- Completion of the selection process expected in the first part of 2009
- First satellite launches expected for 2009 at best

To access the call for applications, please click here
To access the official decision on MSS, please click here
To access the press release and the provisional timetable, please click here
For further information on MSS, please click here