The Norwegian government has agreed to host two ground stations for the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system as the country seeks to play an active role in the pan-European venture.
Norway will contribute ?70m to fund Galileo as part of the…
The Norwegian government has agreed to host two ground stations for the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system as the country seeks to play an active role in the pan-European venture.
Norway will contribute ?70m to fund Galileo as part of the cooperation agreement, which also permits Norwegian companies to supply niche technologies for the system.
Previously this security-sensitive right had been reserved for EU members only.
One ground station will be built on the island of Svalbard and the other will be situated on Norwegian Antarctic Territory.
As well as securing the facilities from intrusion, the Norwegian government has committed to protecting Galileo radio frequencies from disruption and interference.
Antonio Tajani, the European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, which is responsible for the Galileo project, said: “This co-operation will not only help to provide better results of the Galileo navigation services. It will also open up a series of business opportunities for small and medium- seized enterprises both from Norway and the EU.” Tajani was cited in Le Monde in June denying allegations that Galileo could break its existing ?3.4bn budget, requiring a further ?1.5bn funding to become operational.
A European Commission spokesperson for Industry and Entrepreneurship declined to comment on the speculation, but hinted an update on Galileo’s budget will be released before the end of this year.
The original budget for Galileo was ?2.5bn, but years of delays and soaring costs have seen it become a bugbear for Europe.
According to the EU, Galileo will begin operating in 2014 with an initial constellation of 18 satellites. This will allow preliminary provision for enhanced GPS, search and rescue services, and an encrypted public regulated service for authorities.
The fully deployed system will consist of 30 satellites.
