EU warns US on satellite communications rules
The European Commission has warned the US that its plans for the implementation of rules on satellite-based services do not meet its obligations, agreed in the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) discussions, on telecommunications. The EU is concerned, in particular, that the draft rules might enable the US to deny access for foreign operators to sell "Direct to home" services and digital satellite services in the USA. In addition, they could allow the US to withhold satellite licences to foreign operators on the grounds that they pose an ill-defined threat to the public interest or to commercial competitors in the USA. The EU is asking the US to modify these draft laws, and reserves its right to challenge them under the WTO system. This specific warning on satellite services follows a broader complaint made in August about the way the US was implementing general WTO obligations for telecommunications services.