downlink | downpath

earth-to-satellite path | earth-to-space path | up-path

uplink [ up link | feeder link ]

Space systems already play a notable role in numerous facets of the daily life of Europeans: satellite communications permit the exchange of messages with the furthermost regions of the Earth; each person can watch television programmes reflecting their own culture, thousands of kilometres from their country of origin; data from earth observation satellites are at the basis of weather forecasts.

Spectrum used within the frequency bands 703-733 MHz (i.e. FDD uplink) and 758-788 MHz (i.e. FDD downlink) as well as within the 738-758 MHz frequency band for downlink-only (if applicable), for digital terrestrial television broadcasting below the 694 MHz band edge, for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services above 790 MHz (both uplink and downlink), for PPDR radio communications in the 700 MHz frequency band (both uplink and downlink), and for M2M radio communications in the 700 MHz frequency band (both uplink and downlink).

In addition, the Commission regularly raises the issue of broadcasts by Al-Aqsa TV and other broadcasters in a political dialogue with the countries concerned, be it the country of origin of these broadcasters, the country where the uplink to the satellite is located, or a country whose satellite capacity is used for these broadcasts.

P. whereas ICT can be used in many ways in support of education in developing countries and as a way out of isolation (particularly thanks to satellite links) while more traditional ICT (radio and television) can lay claim to numerous successes in distance education at competitive costs,