The German Presidency Mon. welcomed the publication of Europe’s f...

European Parliament (EP), aims to position the EU for global leadership in communications, information society technologies and other arenas. “Europe is committed to establishing a sustainable global civil navigation satellite system under the control of the EU,” the document said: “It is essential that GALILEO [another EC-ESA joint venture] be deployed without further delay and that it strives to provide safe and state-of-the-art solutions.” A 2nd focus is on satellite communications, which accounts for 40% of European space sector revenues. European companies are succeeding in the global market for fixed and mobile satellite services, and many new applications emerging in coming years will be associated with high risk and long-term investment, the EC said. The EU will invest in advancing technologies to create convergence and interoperability of terrestrial and satellite-based networks, the Commission said. For Europe’s space industry to be competitive, regulatory changes are needed, including moves aiming for full interoperability among national and EU space and ground-based systems, standards, and pan-European licensing of services, spectrum and content, it said. Key actions under the communique include developing a plan based on public response to its inquiry on Galileo applications and EC investment in integrated satellite communications networks and services. The EP subcommittee on security and defense meets May 2 on the role of space in European defense and security programs, including a discussion of satellite communications.