Brussels, 10/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Recent developments go to show that radio-navigation remains an item of concern for the EU. On one hand, a new EGNOS transponder was launched on Monday 9 July and, on the other, MEPs at the committee on transport and tourism (TRAN) adopted the opinion report by Jacqueline Foster (ECR, UK) on funding European radio-navigation systems (GNSS, EGNOS and Galileo), during the programming period 2014-2020.
On Monday evening, a satellite was launched from the Baïkonour station in Kazakhstan carrying a new EGNOS transponder to replace that currently aboard an Inmarsat satellite. This will continue to provide higher accuracy positioning signals to both citizens and professionals using an EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver. EGNOS increases the accuracy of data communication from the US GPS system and enables applications requiring higher precision by correcting errors caused by atmospheric disturbance factors. It prefigures the Galileo European system that is to be operational in 2014. Antonio Tajani, European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: “This new EGNOS launch demonstrates the Commission's commitment to providing positioning signals with the highest possible accuracy to citizens and businesses in Europe.” Voting on Tuesday 10 July, the Parliament also demonstrated its support for these radio-navigation services. MEPs of the TRAN committee take the view that Galileo and EGNOS should be allocated €7.897 billion from the European budget for the period 2014-2020. Speaking during debates prior to voting, Foster said such services will be of great advantage to all transport systems. Also, Christine de Veyrac (EPP, France) welcomed the vote saying: “Thanks to the various uses and applications that can be developed, nearly €130 billion in profits are expected, generating growth and employment!” MEPs also underline that life-saving services should remain free of charge, and take a stance in favour of reforming governance of the systems, as advocated by the Commission. The plenary session vote is scheduled for the European Parliament's October session. (MD/transl.jl)