The Integral Satcom Initiative (ISI) is an industry-led action forum designed to bring together all aspects related to satellite communications. ISI addresses broadcasting, broadband and mobile satellite communications, as well as their convergence, in integration within the global telecommunication network infrastructure. ISI supports all forms of space communication and space exploitation. It is designed as a Technology Platform for the seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Commission.

GALILEO, Europe’s global satellite navigation system is now a concrete reality. Today, the 600-Kilogram GIOVE-A satellite, manufactured by the British company Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, was placed in a 23,222 kilometres orbit by a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. GIOVE (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) tests critical new technologies (such as the on-board atomic clocks, signal generator and user receivers) and validates the new features of the Galileo signal design, characterises the radiation environment of the Medium Earth Orbits (MEOs) planned for the Galileo satellites and secures access to the Galileo frequencies allocated by the International Telecommunications Union.

In keeping with the principles of ‘better regulation’, the five European Parliament (EP) and Council Directives that make up the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications have to be reviewed periodically, with first time review taking place before July 2006. During 2006, the Commission also intends to review the Commission Recommendation on relevant markets that complements these Directives.The Commission Services invite interested parties to give their views on the application and functioning of the five directives that constitute the current EU framework for electronic communications. This ‘Call for input’ also invites interested parties to give their views on possible changes to the Recommendation on relevant markets. Contributions should be sent before 31 January 2006.

Commission's communication on a new integrated industrial policy identifies a number of new political sector-specific initiatives. To ensure that public policy provides a supportive environment for the competitiveness of an evolving ICT sector, a taskforce with stakeholders’ representatives on ICT Competitiveness will be set up. Adding to the initiatives the Commission is undertaking under i2010, it will identify key obstacles to competitiveness and possible policy responses, for example in terms of better regulation, skills, IPR, and standardization.

A public consultation on policy measures needed to bring high-speed internet access to Europe’s under-served areas was opened by the European Commission today. Stakeholders, EU Member States and local/regional authorities are invited to contribute their views on the serious broadband challenge now facing Europe, as set out in a Commission staff working paper entitled “Broadband access and public support in under-served areas”. High-speed and secure broadband networks are vital to the Commission’s “i2010” strategy for boosting growth and jobs in the digital economy.

The Commission made public today the preliminary conclusions drawn from the consultations of experts and stakeholders on the future EU rules for audiovisual content. These new rules would cover – in a manner adapted to the type of service – audiovisual content services, whether linear or non-linear, whatever the delivery platform (e.g. broadcast, high-speed broadband, third generation mobiles). The objective is to provide a pro-competitive and flexible framework for audiovisual content services in Europe. Interested parties now have the opportunity to submit comments by 5 September. Following this final round of consultations, the Commission will present a proposal for the new EU rules, which will replace the Television Without Frontiers Directive of 1989.

Published in the European Broadcasting Union's Technical Review, this article "addresses a recent debate undertaken by the European institutions on the interoperability of interactive television (iTV) receivers. The debate centred on whether it would be appropriate to mandate the MHP standards for iTV in order to enforce interoperability in support of media pluralism." The opinions are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

GALILEO will definitely become operational in 2008: a decisive stage has just been completed which will allow the GALILEO programme to be fully completed, despite the obstacles along the way. On a proposal from the Commission, the Council has confirmed on 10 December the technical characteristics of the system, in particular with regard to the services being offered. It has decided in favour of moving on to the launching (2006-2008) and operational phases of the project and confirmed that the European Union will contribute to the funding of those two phases. "GALILEO is without a doubt the most wonderful European technological project. We are now on the home straight: next year will see the launch of the first satellites", said Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission. "GALILEO will be as much of a technological revolution as mobile telephony. This venture shows how capable Europe is of making a united effort in pursuit of a common goal".

The EU Telecommunications Council will meet on December 9, 2004 in Brussels. Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, will represent the European Commission.

At the tenth ERG plenary meeting on September 22 - 23 2004, the Group met with the United States' Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its Chairman Michael Powell.

On 27 September 2004, an important step in the cooperation between the European Union and the MEDA countries was taken when the European Commission inaugurated the GALILEO Euro-Med Cooperation Office and launched the MEDA Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS) project. Vice-President Loyola de Palacio and Mr Shafik, the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation both attended the ceremony held in Cairo. Welcoming this event, Vice-President Loyola de Palacio said: "I believe this cooperation will allow the MEDA countries to find the place they deserve in the GALILEO programme. I expect that our cooperation will build bridges between European and MEDA industrialists in the GNSS market".

To improve mapping in Europe, the European Commission is launching the INSPIRE (INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in the European Union) initiative. A database with consistent geographical information, INSPIRE will support environmental protection policies as well as infrastructure development, agriculture and maritime navigation. A new Directive proposed today calls on EU Member States to put geographical information on a publicly accessible electronic network and to progressively harmonise it. At present, information on rivers, road networks and other geographical features is collected in an uncoordinated way and based on different methods and specifications, resulting in data gaps and lack of comparability.

The EU’s initiative to free up parts of the radio spectrum for innovative wireless technologies is off to a good start, but will need a sustained effort from EU Member States, MEPs and industry to succeed, says the European Commission in its first annual progress report on radio spectrum policy in the EU. This looks at measures taken under the new telecoms package (in particular the Radio spectrum Decision) to allocate the radio spectrum more efficiently, to expand the single market for innovative new radio-based technologies. These technologies have huge potential to enhance competitiveness and deliver new public services.

The European Commission decided today to initiate a formal investigation procedure into the financing of a digital terrestrial television network (DVB-T) in Sweden. This DVB-T network is operated by Teracom AB. Following complaints, the Commission assessed the financing of the network’s rollout. At this stage, the Commission cannot exclude that the financing involves state aid. The opening of this formal investigation procedure gives the Swedish government and interested parties an opportunity to comment on the Commission’s preliminary findings. The opening of this procedure does however not prejudice the final outcome of this case.

In order to promote the DVB-project, the Media authority in Berlin-Brandenburg has compensated private broadcasters for the so-called “switchover costs”. The private broadcasters were granted a subsidy in order to make them switch from analogue terrestrial to digital terrestrial television. The new terrestrial digital television network is operated by T-Systems, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG (DTAG). Triggered by a complaint, the Commission has examined this compensation. At this stage, the Commission feels that the compensation payments may amount to State aid, both to the private broadcasters as well as to T-Systems, the operator of the DVB-T network. The Commission has therefore decided to open a formal investigation procedure. The opening does not prejudice the final outcome of this investigation.

The Commission will maintain - until the end of 2005 - the present list of electronic communications markets that national regulatory authorities can subject to so-called "ex ante" regulation. The list is contained in a Commission Recommendation on relevant markets and services, which was adopted on 11 February 2003 (the "Recommendation") . Updating the Recommendation at the end of 2005, rather than in June 2004, will provide a period of stability and legal certainty for market players and will lead to a more meaningful assessment of the relevant markets.

Accessing everything you need at head office from a computer in the field is fast becoming vital to the efficiency of both private enterprise and public services. A policy blueprint to ensure that data can be accessed anytime, anywhere across the EU, and that the EU retains its lead in this area, is set out in "Mobile broadband services", a Commission Communication issued on 30 June. The challenges ahead include ensuring that services can be supplied seamlessly to a variety of devices, making the technologies and networks that carry them interoperable, and providing adequate intellectual property protection for services with high value-added content. These challenges call for targeted R&D, both on basic research and to accelerate technical innovation.

Background memo on the Telecoms Council of 10-11 June 2004 (Luxembourg)

This meeting between Commissioner Liikanen and CEOs of selected mobile operators, content providers and manufacturers explored the transition to mobile data services, looking particularly at questions relating to research, interoperability, content and a trusted and secure environment for the consumer. The wider mobile communications constituency will be consulted on these issues at a workshop to be held on Friday 11 June, the agenda for which will take the form of a questionnaire.

A consortium formed by Idate, Aegis and Bird & Bird have been appointed to carry out this study. The study will identify which information is currently available, carry out a survey among stakeholders in order to assess whether this information is sufficient for appropriate decision-making or what additional information should be made accessible. The study will furthermore look into how the information should be made available and formulate recommendations for improvements as compared with the present state of play. Input can be provided via a questionnaire distributed by the Consortium.