Solaris Mobile has been confirmed by the European Commission as an admissible candidate for the two-stage application process for the provision of mobile satellite services across Europe.
Solaris Mobile was one of four companies to submit an application to the EC in October for the rollout of S-Band Spectrum mobile satellite services, under a single European selection procedure, instead of under 27 different national systems.
The company says that with a state-of-the-art satellite due to be launched next Spring, it is the only candidate operator that will meet EC expectations that cross-border Mobile TV services are likely to start in 2009. Solaris says it will be in the unique position of being able to offer mobile satellite services that empower existing and next-generation mobile hybrid networks, and enable the provision of innovative services to consumers across Europe.
Together with key industrial partners and media players, Solaris Mobile is actively establishing, a harmonised ecosystem to optimize the delivery of Mobile TV services, and broadband. The company also says that it welcomes the recently-published European Commission Guidelines for the provision of Mobile TV services in EU countries.
We look forward to the publication of similar guidelines for mobile satellite services, says Solaris Mobile CEO, Steve Maine. We would especially support the commitment of the European Commission to award procedure guidelines that are public, transparent and defined in advance, as well as the aspiration that full interoperability and EU-wide Mobile TV roaming will be important considerations for Mobile TV service providers.
The European Commission has also recognised that speed in service delivery will be key for global competitiveness, and therefore we are also in favour of the recommendation that frequencies made available for Mobile TV should be withdrawn if the service has not started within a reasonable time. With a focus on clear guidelines and light regulation, the European Commission is clearly supportive of the rapid roll out of Mobile TV across Europe, and this is good news for companies such as Solaris Mobile.”