Satellite
operators
applaud
DG
Regio
Initiative
to
encourage
use
of
ERDF
to
achieve
2020
objectives
19
October
2010
European
Satellite
Operators
applauded
DG
Regio’s
Communication
entitled
“Regional
Policy
contributing
to
smart
growth
in
Europe
2020”
where
the
Commission
calls
upon
Member
States
to
“consider
how
to
better
use
the
European
Regional
Development
Fund
(ERDF)
to
accelerate
achievement
of
the
EU
2020
objectives
for
broadband
access
including
total
coverage,
making
use
of
the
different
technologies
(fibre,
adsl,
wireless,
satellite)
available
to
suit
the
diverse
geographical
needs
and
challenges
of
different
regions
across
the
EU.
Christodoulos
Protopapas,
Chairman
of
ESOA
said:
“I
commend
Commissioner
Hahn
for
recognising
that
EU
funds
can
and
should
be
used
to
connect
the
80%
of
Europe’s
rural
population
that
are
today
still
not
connected
to
broadband
networks.
His
call
to
Member
States
to
make
best
use
of
ERDF
along
with
his
recognition
of
the
different
needs
of
different
regions
in
Europe
marks
a
breakthrough
in
how
the
Commission
has
so
far
tackled
the
question
of
the
Digital
Divide.
It
will
serve
to
help
the
Commission
achieve
its
2013
target
of
broadband
for
all
and
the
satellite
operators
of
Europe
are
ready
to
work
with
him
to
make
it a
reality.”
Satellites
are
already
connecting
thousands
across
Europe
to
broadband
Internet.
New
advanced
broadband
satellites
are
also
being
deployed
from
2010-2013
that
enable
speeds
of
10Mbps
and
even
higher.
With
satellite,
the
capacity
offered
to
users
is a
matter
of
commercial
and
consumer
choice
and
has
evolved
dramatically
since
the
first
generation
satellites.
“DG
Regio
has
done
well
to
recognise
the
need
to
greater
leverage
private
investment
given
present
day
restraints
on
public
expenditure;
this
is
not
only
a
reality
for
many
member
states
but
it
also
speaks
to
satellite
operators
who
have
made
long-term
upfront
investments
in
new
satellites,
including
for
broadband.”
Said
Aarti
Holla,
ESOA’s
Secretary
General.
The
need
for
cost-efficiency
was
also
recognised
this
month
at
DG
Regio’s
Open
Days
workshop
on
Bridging
the
Digital
Divide,
where
US
Ambassador
to
the
EU
William
E.
Kennard
noted
the
need
to
find
the
most
cost
efficient
solutions
to
reach
citizens
in
sparsely
populated
or
remote
regions
and
not
forget
the
needs
of
these
citizens
by
being
trapped
in
the
‘bubble
of
Brussels’.
Following
his
statement,
Mercedes
Bresso,
Committee
of
the
Regions
(COR)
President,
called
for
a
selection
of
the
most
cost-efficient
solutions
for
different
areas,
especially
for
the
less
populated
areas,
and
raising
awareness
of
the
advantage
of
combining
different
technologies
to
solve
the
problem,
including
satellite
solutions.
During
this
workshop,
COR
rapporteur
for
Universal
Service
Bob
Bright
noted
“We
must
make
broadband
universally
available
and
Commissioner
Kroes
has
asked
the
COR
to
help
achieve
this.
This
means
looking
in
detail
at
all
technologies
and
their
adaptability
to
different
topographical
needs
around
Europe.
We
need
to
dispel
misconceptions
about
satellite
being
an
expensive,
mysterious
technology
when
in
fact
it
is
already
at
work
immediately
connecting
thousands
of
citizens
in
the
EU.
I
myself,
have
seen
high-speed
Internet
via
satellite
at
work
3,000
feet
above
sea
level
in
mountain
huts
in
Piemonte.
The
same
performance
is
available
everywhere
close
to
main
cities
in
areas
not
reached
by
DSL
or
in
the
most
remote
areas.”
Holla
said
“DG
Regio
and
the
COR
are
close
to
the
regions
and
vital
to
raise
awareness
of
the
fact
that
satellite
equipment
is
eligible
for
EU
funding,
a
fact
that
many
regions
are
still
not
aware
of.
In
addition
it’s
a
solution
available
today
that
can
contribute
to
fast
commitment
of
structural
funds
noting
that
only
around
18%
have
been
committed
for
broadband
so
far.
We
hope
that
the
2011
guidance
on
broadband
investment
for
local
&
regional
authorities
will
also
foster
this
user-oriented
approach”.
Holla
pointed
out
that
the
US
had
already
allocated
dedicated
funding
for
creative
satellite
solutions,
which
by
nature
are
an
end-to-end
solution
encompassing
backhaul
and
access
in
one
go.
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