EU-US closer to accord on Galileo navigation system

Date: 26/09/02

By Paul Gallagher

THE EU is well on its way to ironing out all of its differences with the US over the Galileo satellite navigation system, with only the thorny issue of overlaying frequency bands proving problematic.

America's strategic concern is that its Global Positioning System (GPS), which has until now enjoyed a de facto monopoly of satellite radio-navigation, will soon be sharing the same frequency space as Galileo.

Galileo's UN approved frequencies are adjacent to those of GPS, making Washington's cooperation indispensable if technical conflicts between the systems are to be avoided.

Following successful initial negotiations in Brussels in June, the European Commission is hopeful that the remaining problem of frequency overlay can be thrashed out during meetings next month.

However, the US has already stated that it regards NATO as the only forum in which the matter may be discussed.

The Commission, on the other hand, had been adamant that finding a solution to the problem should be dealt with through EU-US diplomatic channels.

But the EU executive has now indicated it will compromise.

Gilles Gantelet, spokesman for Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, said: 'As to the overlay question, which the US has apparently no mandate to discuss within the negotiations, the EU is ready to exchange information and discuss this item bilaterally and with NATO.'

European and US experts are due to meet informally on 21-23 October with a follow-up, formal meeting taking place in the next few months.

The Commission hopes that technical work by experts on both sides of the Atlantic will make it possible to overcome any final obstacles defining the principles governing Galileo/GPS interoperability.

Any political decision on the issue of possible frequency overlay cannot be made until technical information has been exchanged and all possible implications have been reviewed.

A recent offer from the EU to 'switch off' the Galileo system during American military operations has not appeased Washington because the EU's encrypted signal will share the same frequency as the GPS military channel. Therefore, jamming Galileo would mean jamming GPS at the same time.

Because Galileo is a worldwide system, international cooperation relies heavily on the interoperability of Galileo with the existing American and Russian systems.

Although Galileo is primarily designed for civilian use, the US believes the system may be used for hostile or even terrorist purposes against national or NATO interests.

But, like GPS, Galileo's 30 satellites will provide an encrypted signal, for use by security services and new EU military structures.

This autumn signals the start of the Galileo Joint Undertaking between the Commission and European Space Agency, responsible for management of the development phase from 2002-2005.

The project is due to be completed by 2008 at a cost of €3.4 billion.

The EU is well on its way to ironing out all of its differences with the US over the Galileo satellite navigation system, with only the thorny issue of overlaying frequency bands proving problematic.