The Eurocrats sure love their satellites. Hot on the heels of the still not finished Galileo GPS network comes a new plan for a Europe wide satellite telephone network. The objective is a good one; instead of satellite companies having to fight through red tape to get a license in each and every one of the EU member states, they can deal with the European Commission directly – a "One stop shop", according to a spokesman – and reap the commercial benefits of a single market.
The service, which would provide calls, TV and internet to mobile devices, could be fully armed and operational by 2009, say bureaucrats. While the idea is noble – who doesn't want ubiquitous connectivity?– we can't shake the feeling we've heard this all before. Iridium, anyone?
EU-wide approval eyed for mobile satellite service [Reuters]
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