IS Industries :: Communications :: Satellite
Satellite Communications
Satellites can deliver a wide range of Information Society services - interactive TV, mobile broadband internet access, navigation services and more - to areas other systems cannot reach, thus helping close Europe's digital divide and enabling applications as diverse as eBusiness and crisis management.
Overview ¦ Example Projects
"...satellite communications have
already brought many benefits to society and citizens, in Europe and
worldwide"
- Commissioner Viviane Reding,
1 February 2006 (pdf)
Satellite-based systems can provide broadband internet access to fixed and mobile users without installing expensive wired networks. They thus form an important part of today's Information Society infrastructure, and will provide access in the future to millions of users worldwide for a range of applications.
This is already very visible in the broadcasting industry, where European operators currently serve some 20 million users across Europe, and are expanding into Asia and the US - see the broadcasting theme.
Satellite systems are also crucial in ensuring all Europeans can access the Information Society in rural and outlying regions, where other systems are difficult to deploy on a commercial basis. By providing these regions with high-quality access to Information Society services in areas as diverse as health, education and eBusiness, satellite systems can help close Europe's digital divide.
Given its strategic importance to Europe's economy and society, therefore, the satellite communications sector is touched by a range of EU policies and activities, including information society, research, broadcasting, transport, environment, space and more.
Further Details and Quicklinks
- Policies
- Activities
- See Also
- Relevant Policies
-
- i2010: the 'Single
European Information Space' pillar combines regulatory and
other instruments to create a modern, market-oriented regulatory
framework, while the
Inclusion, better public services and quality of life
pillar promotes an inclusive European Information Society.
- Hence "Bridging the Broadband Gap", a Communication (March 2006), followed by a Conference and Exhibition (May 2007), aiming to ensure that all regions have access to broadband. See also the Regions theme.
- The Electronic Communications regulatory framework is the principal set of EU rules for electronic communications.
- Radio Spectrum Policy: like all wireless systems, satellites use radio spectrum. An EU-wide approach is essential to ensuring they can operate across Europe;
- European Space Policy:
- The EU and the European Space Agency share a joint European strategy for space and together are developing a European space policy.
- Member States expressed their wish to see an increased EU dimension in Space Policy space policy at the first ‘Space Council’ in November 2004, leading to a White Paper in 2005.
- i2010: the 'Single
European Information Space' pillar combines regulatory and
other instruments to create a modern, market-oriented regulatory
framework, while the
Inclusion, better public services and quality of life
pillar promotes an inclusive European Information Society.
- Relevant Activities
-
Browse some relevant Example Projects or jump straight to the following sites:
Research: see the Research & Innovation theme for an introduction to EU Research, or jump straight to the following sites:
- Under the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme (2007-2013):
- One of the seven principal Challenges is Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures, where satellite communications will play a role;
- Space research: includes applications for the management of the environment, security, agriculture, forestry and meteorology, civil protection and risk management;
- Technology Platform: ISI - the Integral Satcom Initiative: bringing Europe's satellite communications industry together around a common strategic agenda, this Technology Platform will address broadcasting, broadband, and mobile satellite communications, as well as their convergence and integration within the global telecommunication network infrastructure.
- Under the preceding Sixth Framework Programme (FP6, 2002-2006), the Broadband for All and Mobile and wireless systems beyond 3G Strategic Objectives funded research into satellite communication systems.
- Research activities in preceding Framework Programmes included Mobile, Satellite & Personal Communications and the Task Force on Advanced Satellite Mobile Systems.
Other activities:
- Galileo satellite navigation system: when launched by the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2006-2008, Galileo will have a substantial impact on applications ranging from environmental monitoring to transport.
- Global Monitoring Environment and Security (GMES): another Commission-ESA joint initiative, GMES is strengthening the EU's ability to acquire and integrate high-quality environmental data with geographical and socio-economic information to improve policymaking from local to global level.
- Under the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme (2007-2013):
- See Also
-
From the Satellite Newsroom and Library:
- Press Factsheet: Releasing the potential of radio spectrum to enhance innovation and growth
- News: Harmonising radio spectrum paves the way for advanced mobile satellite services (20 February, 2007)
- News: Commission is looking for new ways to benefit from Galileo navigation system (8 December 2006)
- Speech: ISI - Integral Satcom Initiative - Public Launch Commissioner Reding, 1 February, 2006
- For the latest relevant news, publications and more from the Newsroom & Library, see right hand column, or select IS Industry when you subscribe to the Portal Newsroom Update.
Also of interest:
- European Space Agency > Telecommunications
Last Updated March 2007