The European Commission adopted a decision in order to push for an effective deployment of pan-European mobile satellite services. This decision aims to make it easier for Member States, following a coordinated approach, to decide on potential breaches identified by a competent national authority, as well as ensuring consistent remedies and sanctions if required.

The decision adopted by the Commission has as main aim to allow to coordinate the efforts of EU Member States to accelerate the commercial deployment of pan-European Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) and, if need be, to adopt appropriate enforcement measures. The Commission has taken this decision following the expiry of a two-year period which two operators, Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris Mobile Limited, were given to deploy mobile satellite services systems across Europe.

Mobile satellite services use radio spectrum to provide access to communication services, such as Internet access, mobile multimedia/radio and emergency services for all Europeans, however remote the area in which they live. Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris Mobile Limited were selected by the Commission to provide mobile satellite services over the 2 GHz spectrum range throughout the EU. The cross-border nature of MSS systems called for coordination at EU level, while monitoring of compliance with authorisations and enforcement are undertaken at national level.

According to the European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, now it is time to the selected operators deliver on their promises, or the spectrum which they have available, which is a scarce resource, should be used in other ways.