The ESA said development of mobile video and radio services through satellites will provide content providers and operators with alternative or complementary solutions to terrestrial-based networks and will provide the benefit of the universal coverage and broadcasting that satellites can provide.

ESA telecommunications scientists said high-power satellites in geostationary orbit have the ability to broadcast to large coverage areas and reach huge numbers of users. The proposed system would employ a mixture of satellites and Earth-based repeaters, making it possible to receive the signals inside buildings.

Such a system, said the space agency, would be integrated into modern mobile telephone and vehicle-mounted receiver designs at very low cost, making it ideal for mass marketing.

The ESA is partially funding the development and qualification of important components and subsystems and is making its existing satellite infrastructure available for feasibility testing.