[eccr] Companies give high support to Galileo project

Companies give high support to Galileo project
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Eight leading European high tech companies urged their governments
yesterday to sign on European Union's Galileo satellite navigation
project, but refused to reveal how much money they would invest in this
E3.6bn plan. 
Many critics say Galileo is unnecessary, as a lot of companies already
use the US similar system, which is available world-wide and also for
free. However, the supporters of the idea France and Italy find it
important as showcasing Europe's technological prowess and act of
independence from American dominance in that area, writes the New York
Times. 

Britain and Germany have so far been the most pessimistic about the
expensive Galileo project, as they have shown their concerns about its
budgetary impact. Britain is about to drop the opposition to the release
of the EU funds, but is looking for the assurance that the project will
be civil rather than military.
The companies which signed the memorandum were: French Thales, Eutelsat
and Indra Italy's Telespazio, Belgium's Septentrio, Norway's Kongsberg,
Spain's Hispasat and FDC of France.

Source: 
http://euobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=56
29 - EUobserver

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