# CE2004084EN.01012702.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/127 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/127

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(2004/C 84 E/0164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3987/03

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 2004)

Subject:   Galileo

Subject:

There have been reports in the German media (e.g. the ARD news bulletin of 29 November 2003) that the satellite-supported navigation system Galileo will work on a frequency which can easily be interfered with by the American military at any time. Without consulting Europe, American forces could switch off Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system in the event of crisis or conflict. In addition — according to the reports — the Americans will require the open Galileo signal to be weakened and made qualitatively inferior.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

| 1. | Is this information correct? |
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1.

Is this information correct?

| 2. | If so, what is the Commission's attitude to it, and what measures does it envisage taking? |
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2.

If so, what is the Commission's attitude to it, and what measures does it envisage taking?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2004)

(16 February 2004)

| 1. | It is not true that non-European authorities will be able to switch off or reduce the quality of transmissions from the Galileo system. |
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1.

It is not true that non-European authorities will be able to switch off or reduce the quality of transmissions from the Galileo system.

| 2. | Satellite navigation systems transmit signals which are open to all users (known as the Open Service in the case of Galileo) and secure signals (the Public Regulated Service in the case of Galileo). It is technically possible to scramble all the navigation signals, whatever their frequency, or to scramble only the open signals whilst maintaining access to the secure signals, as they use a different frequency.
  Regarding the performance of the Galileo open signals, discussions are under way with the United States to determine what the most effective standard would be for the open signals of both Galileo and the future GPS III with a view to providing the best service to users. These discussions are intended to ensure full interoperability between the two systems and will, de facto, lead to a global standard for satellite navigation. The willingness of the United States to use the same frequencies as Galileo for open and commercial signals is to be welcomed, as it will give a decisive boost to the European programme being used worldwide. |
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2.

Satellite navigation systems transmit signals which are open to all users (known as the Open Service in the case of Galileo) and secure signals (the Public Regulated Service in the case of Galileo). It is technically possible to scramble all the navigation signals, whatever their frequency, or to scramble only the open signals whilst maintaining access to the secure signals, as they use a different frequency.

Regarding the performance of the Galileo open signals, discussions are under way with the United States to determine what the most effective standard would be for the open signals of both Galileo and the future GPS III with a view to providing the best service to users. These discussions are intended to ensure full interoperability between the two systems and will, de facto, lead to a global standard for satellite navigation. The willingness of the United States to use the same frequencies as Galileo for open and commercial signals is to be welcomed, as it will give a decisive boost to the European programme being used worldwide.

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