GPS without borders GCN Insider | U.S., EU satellites to use
same radio frequency for more accurate GPS - By Patrick Marshall
- Aug 10, 2007 The United States and Europe have been at odds on
a lot of issues of late. But one thing they've managed to agree
on is that it makes sense to work together on delivering Global
Positioning System services. Under an agreement finalized at the
end of July, European Union and U.S. satellites would use the
same radio frequency, which means GPS receivers will be able to
get signals from both systems and combine the data. The result
will likely be more accurate GPS, especially in those areas with
weak satellite reception. It could be some time before users see
the benefits of the agreement. Although the United States has 30
GPS satellites orbiting the Earth, the European Galileo GPS
system has not yet been deployed. The EU plans to have 30
satellites in orbit by 2010 and have the Galileo system fully
functional by 2012. And then, of course, those who make the GPS
receivers wi