Neelie Kroes urges action on satellite broadband

The European Commission's vice president for the Digital Agenda has written to all 21 member states urging them to pass the necessary legislative measures to allow the use of satellite broadband.

Neelie Kroes is concerned that a timetable agreed by the European Parliament to allow two satellite companies, Inmarsat Ventures and Solaris Mobile, to deliver broadband in all member states by May 2011 is not going to be met.

Kroes urged the governments involved to recognise the importance of the technology, outlining that it could be a key tool in helping to close the digital divide across the European Union.

"Member states should urgently take all measures necessary to allow the introduction of mobile satellite services throughout the EU," she said.

"Mobile satellite services have an important role to play in providing innovative services to businesses and citizens across Europe, including in rural or remote areas, and making broadband available to everyone in Europe."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for broadband regulations in the UK, told V3.co.uk that it introduced the necessary satellite regulations in March 2010.

Satellite broadband has been touted as a viable way to close the digital divide. European satellite operator Eutelsat claims that its KA-Sat satellite can offer speeds of up to 10Mbit/s to people in remote regions, including areas in the UK.

KA-Sat was launched at the end of 2010 and is currently in orbit undergoing tests before the service goes live later this year.