Activities of the Association

Background

The European Satellite Operators' Association (ESOA) was formed in March 2002 to represent the interests of the industry with key European organisations, including the European Commission, Parliament, Council and the European Space Agency as well as other international organisations. ESOA's goals include ensuring that satellites benefit from the appropriate political, industrial and regulatory environment to fulfil their vital role in the delivery of communications. ESOA is governed by a Board of Directors, made up of the CEO's of its 10 Member Companies. The present Chairman of the Board is Mr. Romain Bausch.

ESOA's executive is a Secretary General, Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini who reports to the Board of Directors. Policy matters are managed in two operative Working Groups:

A treasurer ensures the proper financial working of the Association.

ESOA is often consulted as reference point for the industry by policy-makers, national and international regulators, other industrial groups, associations and academics for information concerning facts and views of the industry or with requests to cooperate on specific issues. It often participates in conferences representing the space or satellite operator's industry.

As the provision of satellite communications through ESOA members in fact implies global coverage, ESOA also has Co-operations with other organisations on issues that affect members' business outside Europe.

Activities

On Nov 9, 2005, ESOA members met with Commissioner Reding of the European Commission's Information Society DG. The meeting served to emphasise the importance of topics such as Spectrum Policy, Digital Switchover and the revised TV without Frontiers Directive to satellite operators, as these fall within her mandate in the European Commission.

L > R: Aarti Holla-Maini, Per Norman, Commissioner Reding, Petra Mateos, Romain Bausch, Osman Dur, Enrico Saggese

Through ESOA, European satellite operators aim to reassert the pervasive nature of satellite-delivered services and the potential they offer in allowing democratic and economical broadband access to telecommunications services. Even though satellites are part of our everyday lives with almost 60% of European households today receiving television directly or indirectly via satellite, satellites often still only assume an ancillary role in the minds of regulators and policy makers. It is in this context that ESOA recently met with Commissioners Reding and Verheugen of the European Commission.

Through minimal infrastructure providing ubiquitous coverage, satellites allow communications across national boundaries, without discriminating on the base of economic differences between nations or lacking infrastructure. The only requirement is the goodwill of policy-makers to recognise their benefits and facilitate friendly political, regulatory and industrial environments in their territories, so that satellite communications can be implemented there for the good of their citizens.

Market Access, Regulatory & Frequency Working Group

In the past two years ESOA has been very active, working on Market Access and Regulatory Issues around the globe, such as the new spectrum policy being planned at present in the UK. ESOA's work has contributed over the last year to significant trade negotiations going on between the European Commission and third countries. It has also helped improve the understanding of regulators of the impact their policies have on the business of satellite operators.

Space Policy Working Group

Further priorities are to contribute to the implementation of European Space Policy such as the definition of the European Space Programme together with the EC's 7th Framework Programme. ESOA considers it vital that appropriate priority be given to satellite telecommunications and related services.