ESC Opinion: Commission Green Paper on satellite communications
The Council consulted the Economic and Social Committee (29 November 1990) on the Commission communication entitled: "Towards Europe-wide systems and services - Green Paper on a common approach in the field of satellite communications in the European Community" (COM(90) 490). The ESC unanimously adopted an Opinion on this subject on 24 April 1991. It supports the aims of the Green Paper in light of the need to exploit the full potential of satellite technology and services in Europe; liberalization and the separation of operational and regulatory functions are a prerequisite to achieve this. The Committee agrees with the four major changes proposed by the Commission (liberalization of the earth segment, unrestricted access to space segment capacity subject to licensing procedures, full commercial freedom for space segment providers, harmonization to facilitate Europe- wide services). The Commission should establish a realistic timetable and consider the need for a centralized organization to aid implementation.