Brussels, 14/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - European consumers and businesses, particularly in rural areas, can expect to benefit from innovative wireless communication services. On Thursday 14 May the European Commission selected two operators, Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris Mobile Limited, to provide mobile satellite services across Europe. The services, such as high-speed internet access, mobile television and radio, or emergency communications, will be provided over a specifically reserved spectrum. EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding declared: “A Europe-wide market for mobile satellite services is now becoming a reality. I call on the Member States to take without any delay all the required follow up steps in order to allow a timely and proper launch of mobile satellite services." Mobile satellite services (MSS) will offer innovative wireless communications to millions of EU consumers and businesses all over Europe thanks to portable terminals carried by a person or mounted on a car or a ship. They can also help bridge the digital divide in the availability of high-speed internet coverage in Europe by reaching rural and less populated regions. The European Commission's announcement of this selection means that it has closed the first European selection procedure for satellite operators, launched in August last year - a single selection and authorisation process to ensure a coordinated introduction of MSS in the EU. Four operators were admitted to the selection phase in December 2008. Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris Mobile Limited demonstrated the required level of technical and commercial development of their satellite systems and met the 5 milestones on the construction of the satellites and their launch. Member states now have to ensure the two companies have the right to use the specific radio frequencies identified in the Commission's decision and the right to operate their respective mobile satellite systems. These providers have to be authorised to use their satellite systems all over Europe for 18 years from the selection decision. Commercial service should start within 24 months from this selection decision at the latest and even earlier if the operators made a commitment in this connection in the applications they made. Inmarsat and Solaris will be bound by the commitments that they have undertaken, including commitments made concerning consumer and competitive benefits, and geographic coverage. (I.L./transl.rh)