[09-26-07 – Satellite Today]  Inmarsat has ordered an S-band satellite from Thales Alenia Space, joining a list of potential competitors seeking licenses to deliver mobile multimedia broadcast services to mobile devices via satellite, according to a report from TMF Associates.

The European Commission released a proposed decision for the European Parliament and Council of Ministers Aug. 22, identifying a potential two-step evaluation process for applicants seeking to provide mobile services in the 2-gigahertz band, according to “ATC, Satellite Radio and Other Hybrid MSS Networks: Business Cases and Spectrum Valuations,” which TMF will publish in October.

The proceeding indicates that Inmarsat is prepared to make the necessary investments to comply with milestones that include signing the manufacturing, launch and ground station contracts as well as completing critical design review. This work could by completed by June, the date Inmarsat suggested that the spectrum awards be made.

According to TMF, the Commission will likely award only a pair of licenses, and a joint venture created by SES and Eutelsat is the likely frontrunner in the competition, TMF said.

The companies unveiled plans in October 2006 to invest 130 million euros ($183.3 million) to develop a mobile broadcasting satellite service for Europe. The European Commission approved the joint venture, dubbed Solaris, in July.

The S-band payload will be placed on Eutelsat’s W2A spacecraft, which is scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2009. The mobile TV service will use Alcatel’s DVB-SH technology in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Poland.

The other potential competitor is TerreStar, which has said it will “create a two-way, wireless communications network providing coverage, services  and applications to mobile and portable wireless users” including “emergency first responder  personnel.” TerreStar announced an authorization to proceed with Astrium in July to build a  geostationary satellite with around 500 spot beams and has an agreement with Telekom Austria to undertake “a joint investigation of MSS/CGC opportunities,” according to TMF. TerreStar is seeking  investors in TerreStar Global, which will develop the European business.

ICO also maintains that it has a legacy claim to the spectrum in Europe by virtue of launching the ICO-P1 satellite — part of its original constellation — in November 2000. However,  this legacy claim was not recognized by the Commission.

Systems also have been proposed by Thuraya and Ondas, but these projects seem less likely to proceed, and both may have options to  secure spectrum in other bands, TMF said.