ESOA welcomes the European Commission’s ‘Space strategy for Europe’

Aarti Holla, ESOA’s Secretary General noted: “The key commercial market for Europe’s space industry is still satellite communications but most satellite operator projects in place today are the result of private initiative rather than a policy push. The Commission now has an opportunity to translate its Space Strategy into concrete actions to enhance the uptake of space services in the service of EU policy objectives and this will drive growth for the European space industry and operators alike.”

Rupert Pearce, ESOA Chairman & CEO of Inmarsat added: “The Space Strategy is a key tool with which to ensure a level playing field for satellite communications at a time when policy strongly favours terrestrial networks. The risk of this approach is the creation of next generation telecommunications networks that serve the ‘urban elite’ rather than bringing digital opportunities to everyone, everywhere. The Strategy must be leveraged to ensure that future 5G networks are at once inclusive, resilient and sustainable”.

ESOA stresses that space is already an integral part of the Digital Society serving citizens, businesses and governments in pursuit of their everyday, business, strategic and emergency objectives. From being pipes in the sky, satellite operators are now evolving to become smart solution providers that enable individual vertical segments from media to the Connected Car and ultimately IoT companies to tap the efficiencies garnered from global satellite systems in order to drive down costs while extending reach. Europe is already world leader in satellite communications thanks to a favourable political and regulatory environment on the one side and the ability of its operators to constantly invest and adapt to changing times. To maintain this competitive edge, the Commission needs to ensure that its Space Strategy adequately fosters a proper understanding and exploitation of satellite communications services and defends satellite spectrum from sharing and interference from terrestrial networks.

SATELLITES EVERYWHERE, INTERNET EVERYWHERE.

About ESOA

ESOA is a non-profit membership organisation dedicated to serving and promoting the common interests of satellite operators from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS. The Association today represents the interests of satellite operators who deliver information communication services across the globe. Together ESOA Members provide invaluable communications services to the whole world, including live broadcasting, emergency communications, maritime and aero communications, secure services for governments, 24/7 monitoring of industrial processes such as energy plants, weather forecasting and a whole range of other communications services.