EC Moves for Galileo’s Deployment and Operational Phases

Brussels/Oct. 11/Satnews Daily/ — The European Commission adopted last week a resolution moving to the deployment and operational phases of Galileo, the European satellite radionavigation system.

On the basis of the conclusions of the Galileo document, EC will take the political decisions needed to launch these two phases concerning, in particular, funding and the definition of the services.

In a statement, EC concluded that the conditions are now met for launching the Galileo program. "There are no more obstacles to launching the subsequent phases of the program," said Loyola de Palacio, Commission Vice-President.

In its communication, the Commission reiterated the four matters that needed to be settled prior to launching the deployment and operational phases have been settled. These include the:

• Establishment of the structures for the management of the system;
• Total interoperability of the American and US systems, which is explicitly provided for in the agreement signed with the US on 26 June 2004;
• The definition of the services to be offered;
• Confirmation that there will be a significant contribution from the private sector towards the funding of these phases;

Since the necessary conditions are now met, the Commission said the EC Council to confirm -- the irrevocable transition to the program deployment and operational phases; the essential features of the system, in particular as regards services; and the commitment of the public authorities with regard to the funding of the deployment and operational phases.

Confirmation is necessary in order to enable the completion of the negotiation of the concession contract that will be signed in 2005 and to enable private-sector stakeholders to confirm their bids and their financial commitments.

Meanwhile, China and the European Union (EU) inked last Saturday a technological agreement on Saturday in Beijing that ensures China play a part in the development of the Galileo Program -- from space and ground technology development to application and fund allocation.

The agreement is expected to further provide an operational framework for China's participation in the program, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. China and the EU had agreed last year to allow China to join the Galileo program.

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