[SatNews] European Satellite Operators noted last week the European Commission’s Communications on Broadband[1] and Radio Spectrum[2], where satellites were recognized as a fast and feasible solution to complement terrestrial services and ensure total broadband coverage of the EU.

Acknowledging the Commission’s 2020 objectives for delivering higher bandwidth, Christodoulos Protopapas, Chairman of ESOA, said, “Satellites are already offering today up to 10Mbps download speeds to consumers. New advanced broadband satellites are also being deployed by various European satellite operators from 2010-2013. With satellite, the capacity offered to users is a matter of commercial and consumer choice not of technical capability. The Commission should not underestimate the capacity of satellite technology to contribute both to 2013 and 2020 objectives.”

The satellite sector has already made huge investments in new broadband infrastructure for Europe. ESOA, therefore, is encouraging the Commission to take steps to motivate further private investment and ensure a technology neutral approach in promoting a mix of fixed and wireless technologies, including next generation broadband satellite systems, for delivery of the EU 2020 Digital Agenda objectives based on real-world consumer demand expectations for broadband services. However, ESOA is concerned with the Commission’s primary focus on the 2020 objectives. Aarti Holla, Secretary General of ESOA, said, “We were already delivering on the EU Recovery Plan 2010 target of broadband for all, connecting thousands of users every month. We will continue to help the Commission achieve its new 2013 Digital Agenda target. The Commission should be cautious both about shifting its focus primarily to the longer-term 2020 objectives and also about artificially raising the bar to 30Mbps compared to what users really need. This comes at the expense of continuing real progress being made on the 2013 objective, and by doing this, the Commission will jeopardise its own chances of ensuring total inclusion.”

Over the last two years, ESOA has consistently indicated to the European Commission and to Member States that satellites will continue to play a key role in delivering broadband services to businesses and consumers, especially in rural and remote areas of the EU. This role was recognised by the European Parliament’s report on the Digital Agenda in March of this year[3] which explicitly noted that “particular attention should be paid to rural areas … an appropriate solution to ensure the effective supply of and access to broadband Internet by the citizens of these regions within an acceptable timeframe and at a reasonable cost is through wireless technologies including satellite which enable an immediate ubiquitous connectivity to the Internet backbone.” ESOA argues that if the Commission wants to achieve its 2013 and 2020 objectives, it would be well-advised to approach the matter with a more pragmatic, user-oriented approach.

[1] COM 2010(472)

[2] COM 2010(471) Final

[3] Document A7-0066/2010 published 25/3/10 at para 5: “Recalls that particular attention should be paid to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, in particular the outermost regions; considers that an appropriate solution to ensure the effective supply of and access to broadband Internet by the citizens of these regions within an acceptable timeframe and at a reasonable cost is through wireless technologies including satellite which enable an immediate ubiquitous connectivity to the Internet backbone;”