OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Trety, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION ON A COORDINATED AUTHORIZATION APPROACH IN THE FIELD OF SATELLITE PERSONAL-COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 05. 03. 1997 COM(97)101 final 95/0274 (COD) OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION ON A COORDINATED AUTHORIZATION APPROACH IN THE FIELD OF SATELLITE PERSONAL-COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 1. BACKGROUND On 8 November 1995 the Commission adopted a proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on an action at a Union field of satellite personal communications services in the European Union (COM(95)529), which was formally transmitted to the EP and the Council on 10 November 1995. level the in The Economic and Social Committee gave its opinion on 25 April 19961. The European Parliament adopted a favourable opinion in its resolution at its first reading on 19 June 1996, and proposed 22 amendments to the Commission proposal2. On 14 October 1996 the Commission adopted a modified proposal in conformity with Article 189A, paragraph 2 of the Treaty, incorporating most of the EP amendments (COM(96)467)3. On 9 December 1996 the Council, acting in accordance with Article 189 B, paragraph 2 of the Treaty, adopted a common position on the proposed Decision4. This common position is based on a compromise proposal from the Presidency and deviates substantially from the original Commission proposal. In second reading, the European Parliament adopted on 20 February 1997 one amendment to the common position. 2. PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION PROPOSAL Within 2-4 years, a new generation of satellite systems will become operational, offering mobile telecommunication services around the globe. The decision aims at ensuring in a timely fashion the introduction of satellite personal communications services (S-PCS) in the European Union by means of a co-ordinated action at a Union level between Member States. included The proposal the selection, where necessary, of satellite personal communications space segment operators; adoption of common conditions to be attached to authorisations for S-PCS space segment operators; the harmonisation of 1 TRA/303, 18. 4. 96 2 A4-0179/96, PV 19. 06. 96 3 Amended proposal fora EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION on a common framework fot the harmonised development of satellite personal communications services in the European Union /* COM/96/0467 FINAL - COD 95/0274 */ OFFICIAL JOURNAL NO. C 350 , 21/1 1/1996 P. 0014 COMMON POSITION (EC) No 6/97 adopted by the Council on 9 December 1996 with a view to the adoption of Decision No. /97/EC of. of the European Parliament and of the Council on a coordinated authorization approach in the field of satellite personal communication services in the Community OFFICIAL JOURNAL NO. C 041 , 10/02/1997 P. 0037 where required, appropriate measures for equipment circulation and use; and the establishment of a dialogue and, where appropriate, negotiations between the European Union and third countries in order to establish international co-operation to promote the development of S-PCS and remove obstacles to their development. 3. OPINION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AMENDMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT The Commission can accept, without changes, the amendment adopted by the Parliament in second reading. • The amendment proposes a realistic time schedule to avoid that adoption of the Decision would be later than finalisation of activities decided upon in the Decision 4. MODIFIED PROPOSAL On 9 December 1996 the Commission has adopted its opinion on the Common Position of the Council with a view to the adoption of a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a coordinated authorization approach in the field of satellite personal-communication services in the community, by which it accepted the revised text for the proposed Decision. Following the second reading of the draft Decision by the European Parliament, the Commission herewith modifies its proposal for a Decision including the amendment which was adopted by the European Parliament on 20 February 1997. AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION ON A COORDINATED AUTHORIZATION APPROACH IN THE FIELD OF SATELLITE PERSONAL-COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL H 1997 March/April March March July for 1. 6/2. 4 GHz Work on mandates on the harmonization and 1. 6/2. 4 GHz frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands One-stop-shopping services for procedure planning to operate in the 1. 6/2. 4 GHz and frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands Determination whether the in scarcity of frequencies and the frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands a constraint on the number of satellite personal-communications services which can be provided in those bands in the Community Harmonization of procedures the systems authorization of planning to operate in the 1. 6/2. 4 GHz and frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands. represents for Timetable (following amendment) 1997 July July July September for 1. 6/2. 4 GHz Work on mandates on the harmonization and 1. 6/2. 4 GHz 1. 9/2. 1 GHz frequency bands One-stop-shopping services for procedure planning to operate in the 1. 6/2. 4 GHz and frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands Determination whether the in scarcity of frequencies and the frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands a constraint on the number of satellite personal-communications services which can be provided in those bands in the Community Harmonization " of procedures the systems authorization of planning to operate in the 1. 6/2. 4 GHz and frequency 1. 9/2. 1 GHz bands. represents for ISSN 0254-1475 C0M(97) 101 final DOCUMENTS EN 15 06 10 Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-085-EN-C ISBN 92-78-16616-2 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg