BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Thursday picked communications companies Inmarsat Ventures and Solaris Mobile to beam high-speed Internet services from satellites to remote parts of Europe.
The two companies should have mobile satellite up and running by May 2011 at the latest, said the European Commission, the EU's executive.
They will have the exclusive right to use radio frequencies to beam wireless Internet, mobile television and radio or emergency communications to people using cell phones or computers that can't connect to existing network masts.
They have promised to cover at least 60 percent of European Union territory — which the EU says could boost Internet access in rural areas, remote islands and highlands that currently have little or no access or end up paying more because operator choice is limited.
Solaris is jointly owned by Luxembourg-based SES Astra and France's Eutelsat Communications, which plan to beam services to mobiles and cars. Inmarsat made its name providing satellite phones for ships.