First report of Commission's satellite working group
The Satellite Working Group (SWG), set up following the adoption of the European Commission's Action Plan for Satellite Communications in the Information Society, adopted on 5 March 1997, has published a report on the main research and development activities in the satellite communications sector. The group is composed of representatives of industry, telecommunications operators, space segment providers and research agencies. The report aims to review the current EU situation in satellite communications R&D and to make proposals for relevant R&D topics for the upcoming Fifth RTD Framework Programme. The report outlines in particular: - Main R&D activities currently addressed in Europe, particularly through the Space Agencies initiatives; - Critical technologies for the satellite communications sector; - R&D activities in other regions, such as the USA and Japan; - Main priorities for the Fifth Framework Programme; - Complementarity of the Space Agencies initiatives.