Comparative selection procedure
Article 3
1. A comparative selection procedure shall be organised by the Commission for the selection of operators of mobile satellite systems. The Commission shall be assisted by the Communications Committee referred to in Article 10(1). 2. Applicants shall be given a fair and non-discriminatory opportunity to participate in the comparative selection procedure, which shall be transparent. The call for applications shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union . 3. Access to documents relating to the comparative selection procedure, including applications, shall be granted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents ( 11 ) . 4. The Commission may seek advice and assistance from external experts for the analysis and/or evaluation of applications. Such external experts shall be selected on the basis of their expertise and high level of independence and impartiality.