Rights to Operate and Licensing
DID YOU KNOW?
A single satellite operator requires expertise of the unique regulatory requirements of every country in which he operates?
In order to provide services within their footprint, satellite operators require the correct licences and authorisations. The rules and regulations can vary significantly from country to country, and ESOA members work hard to ensure that they always abide with the requirements of the countries within which they operate.
European regulation has played a major role in simplifying the licensing requirements in the EU27. Directive 2002/20/EC, the “Authorisation Directive”, developed the innovation of replacing individual licences by general authorisations. This means that a satellite operator is only required to submit a notification to a National Regulatory Authority, but it not required to obtain an explicit decision or any other administrative act before exercising the rights stemming from the authorisation.
Within those CEPT countries not members of the European Union, ESOA continues to work towards the introduction of best-practice, in line with European Union law. Simplification of licensing requirements, including removing the requirement for a local presence within each country where a satellite operator provides service, is a major part of reducing barriers to entry and developing a fair and competitive market for satellite services across Europe. Once a satellite operator is incorporated and paying taxes in a Member State, it is able to offer services throughout Europe, relying on the Country of Origin principle.