Overview
GNSS base applications are being penetrating all segments of society and are becoming a common tool in the citizen's daily life.
Galileo is the catalyst enabling EU Industry to strengthen its position and further expand its share in GNSS related markets.
The downstream sector delivers the most important contribution of the European GNSS industry to achieve Europe's goals:
- Economic growth;
- Job creation;
- Innovation;
- Knowledge-based society.
The ultimate objective of the GALILEAN thematic network is to support European manufacturers and service providers in increasing their share of the global satellite navigation.
The GALILEAN thematic network will create an open dynamic network of organizations, companies and authorities with the general objective to:
- Share data and information to increase the knowledge base on the GNSS system;
- Create synergies and encourage standardisation in European research efforts related to GNSS Applications;
- Encourage the creation of advanced services;
- Increase acceptance of the satellite navigation industry and obtain stronger support from transport policy;
- Increase the awareness and the attractiveness of GNSS towards all user groups;
- Develop recommendations for industry, operators, administrations and policy makers.
The intention of the network members is to provide a platform to discuss common problems, to communicate their know-how for future projects and to make recommendations that would enhance their business operations.
The ultimate aim is to have an agreed but flexible roadmap for the promotion of GNSS applications in Europe, a roadmap that accommodates the requirements of the stakeholders in GNSS and takes into account the SME structure of the sector.
The roadmap will be developed and documented through the organisation of working groups and conferences, which will:
- help to define common satellite navigation user requirements;
- ease the mapping of RTD projects against real user needs;
- support the coordination of national, EU and industrial research into GNSS;
- promote networks and clustering RTD activities;
- support technology assessment and forecasts;
- contribute to information dissemination activities to enhance transparency and awareness;
- support to technology transfer;
- provide a platform for consultations regarding GNSS applications research in FP.
The validation of the roadmap elements, through their presentation to symposia, will:
- bridge the Gap between RTD and the Galileo application sector in order to enhance innovation;
- improve the awareness of the application industry to the possibilities of GNSS;
- increase the efficiency and competitiveness of GNSS applications (safe, efficient and high quality services), both internally to the EU and world-wide;
- create synergies and address common problems with alternative navigation means.
Funding
Results
The results of the working groups were continuously merged into one strategy paper – the Roadmap Document, which comprises an analysis of the issues identified and a related set of proposed actions. The document intends to draw the attention of the European institutions to critical elements, in order to foster the growth of the European GNSS application industry. Political and institutional issues, business-related issues, as well as technological topics are addressed. In particular, the dependence of the further development of the application industry on the political and institutional environment is discussed in depth. Some technical aspects making an impact on the commercial success of the downstream sector are also analysed.
During the 3 years of the GALILEAN project, the gathering and analysis of European industry's views has resulted in a proposed action plan. Summarising the industry experts' recommendations, the following main areas for action can be identified:
- Integration of GNSS and other radio navigation means into a coherent European Radio Navigation Policy, ensuring a reliable and robust positioning service for Europe.
- Agreed approach for the Public Regulated Service (PRS) for specific civil or military user groups, in particular with a view of the future military GPS service.
- Better consultation with industry at political/institutional level, especially on issues potentially having an impact on future GNSS business development (intellectual property rights, agreements with third countries, policy on receiver royalties, etc.)
- Review of GALILEO programme planning in terms of schedule and cost to increase its credibility. Specifically, the impact of the Public Regulated Service (PRS) has to be taken into account.
- The GALILEO signal definition, i.e. the Interface Control Document (ICD), for the open services has to be made available as a basis for any further technical development.
- Coordinated Research and Development activities at national and European level addressing the relevant key areas. The SME access to these programmes has to be facilitated.
Proposed actions involve either the EU Member States, the European institutions, or the GALILEO programme management.
Policy implications
In the political category, the issues are related to integrating the GALILEO initiative and other GNSS systems into a coherent European Radio Navigation Policy, thus ensuring a reliable and robust positioning service for Europe. The implementation of the Public Regulated Service for specific civil or military user groups has to be prepared, in particular with a view to the future military GPS service. In consequence, the actions which should be taken on this level are focused on the establishment of a clear and positive political and institutional environment to enable optimal development of the application industry. Specifically, the relations with non -European countries have to be carefully considered.
Intelligent Transport Systems
Key findings
Summarising the industry experts' recommendations, the following main areas for action can be identified:
- Integration of GNSS and other radio navigation means into a coherent European Radio Navigation Policy, ensuring a reliable and robust positioning service for Europe;
- Agreed approach for the Public Regulated Service (PRS) for specific civil or military user groups, in particular with a view of the future military GPS service;
- Better consultation with industry at political/institutional level, especially on issues potentially having an impact on future GNSS business development (intellectual property rights, agreements with third countries, policy on receiver royalties, etc.);
- Review of GALILEO programme planning in terms of schedule and cost to increase its credibility. Specifically, the impact of the Public Regulated Service (PRS) has to be taken into account;
- The GALILEO signal definition, i.e. the Interface Control Document (ICD), for the open services has to be made available as a basis for any further technical development;
- Coordinated Research and Development activities at national and European level addressing the relevant key areas. The SME access to these programmes has to be facilitated.
Policy implications
In the political category, the issues are related to integrating the GALILEO initiative and other GNSS systems into a coherent European Radio Navigation Policy, thus ensuring a reliable and robust positioning service for Europe. The implementation of the Public Regulated Service for specific civil or military user gro