Brussels  - The European Commission on Thursday invited companies which want to offer satellite-based communications and entertainment services to mobile receivers across Europe to apply for a licence to do so.

Traditionally, the European Union's broadcasting market has been divided into 27 national systems, making it difficult for satellite companies to offer services across the bloc.

But a law which came into force this week mandates the commission, as the EU's executive, to handle the approval process for the whole bloc.

The commission has therefore called on EU-based companies interested in offering services such as mobile satellite internet and TV to apply for permission to offer such services before October 7.

As a minimum, applicants will have to guarantee services to at least 60 per cent of the EU's territory and 50 per cent of the population in each member state, and meet the EU's technical, legal and economic criteria, officials said.

If demand for permits exceeds the available broadcast frequencies, further criteria will be added.

EU officials say that they hope the first satellites could be launched by the end of 2009. (dpa)