re: eu political dependence on the us for gps mari

Copy of my post on OZestock. Again information is referenced at the bottom:

Now a little forward thinking on the Beam technology. I have been researching Maritime regualtions on communications. Beam current in that market in our region. What I have found is that there is a hugh worldwide demand for the technology that BEAM can offer. Just look at Europe alone the market is very big. They need low cost devices and decvices that will not make them dependent on the USA, which they are ATM. See below. They are looking for other options. I think that BEAM could meet this need. Just food for thought. Here are some of the websites listed below that I have been looking at in researching this possibility. Now to save those a lot of reading here is a section that I think sums up the opportunity for BEAM in Europe:

2.4
Political dependence
To remain dependent on GPS means that Europe will be dependent on US policy in this area. This is outlined in a range of documents and is subject to change without reference to European requirements. The analysis of the available official US documentation indicates:
1. US determination to maintain GPS as the dominant satellite navigation system.
2. GPS will be provided free of direct user charges, but it does not rule out charges levied against states.
3. Specific authorisation to use GPS remains with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Space of DOD.
4. US cannot share ownership of GPS with a foreign power.

The fact is that the US not only controls the GPS infrastructure and operations, but also controls the users who can have access to it. The US is therefore in control of the current and future performance of GNSS and the timing of changes to this performance. This may not be consistent with the requirements of Europe. As our
economic dependence on GPS grows, Europe can be held to ransom on all issues related to its use of GPS and might be obliged to pay governmental levies to the US in
the future. Europe cannot accept this. A complementary, independent and interoperable GNSS system Galileo is essential to neutralise these concerns.

www.mif-eu.org/Manuf_Safety_Report_10_01.pdf

MIF - Maritime Industries Forum
Report for the MIF 2001 Plenary Session of the
Manufacturing related Ad Hoc Working Group on
Safety and Environment.

europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/galileo/ doc/gal_european_dependence_on_gps_rev22.pdf
2.2
Transport policy, European regulation and safety applications It is anticipated that future EU regulations and decisions will increasingly depend on
the availability of a certified satellite positioning system, with sufficient level of control from EU. That is likely to be the case for the implementation of the Trans
European Network.

Satellite navigation was identified as an essential tool for implementing the European
Transport Policy. To meet the obligations of EU Directives for safe transport of People and Goods a GNSS is required to provide guarantees of service and carry “liability� commitments. To shift the balance between transport modes is likely to require regulation and the imposition of a transport pricing strategy. Both these aspects require the EU having control of one GNSS system. The European Union Policy regarding GNSS has been defined in two steps. The first step has been to develop a monitoring system called EGNOS allowing asafe use of GPS for safety critical applications. The second step, in order to avoid keeping the EU
dependant on GPS , through EGNOS, is to develop Galileo as an independent and interoperable system.
The ability to change the balance between road usage and other modes of transport by
the introduction of regulation or charging mechanisms based on GPS not under EU control does not appear sensible. It leaves Member States vulnerable to US imposition of charges.
The Volpe report, as mentioned in Section 1, highlights concerns over the vulnerability of GPS to unintentional and intentional interference. This confirms the
need for improved robustness in safety of life and regulated applications since GPS is inherently vulnerable (See annex 2). As a system based on the European Union and Member States concession and operation under European law, GALILEO can provide a legal framework for
law enforcement in Europe (road tolling, etc.).
Certain Galileo services, such as Safety of life and commercial services, will be provided with guarantees of performance and the operator will be liable to compensate the users where this performance is not met. Galileo therefore is a major factor in allowing Europe to effectively implement the EU transport policy objectives.