All the Galileo services currently provided are free of charge.

Only the EU has a global civil-based GNSS initiative. The fact that Galileo is under civilian control is an important differentiator from other GNSS systems and is especially relevant when considering that the world’s dependence on GNSS is continuously increasing.

With Galileo, there are more usable GNSS satellites, meaning users around the world have access to more accurate and reliable positioning and timing synchronisation. This is especially relevant in higher latitudes where Galileo offers better coverage than other GNSS systems.

In addition, Galileo offers other added value services devoted to improving performance at the user level:

• Positioning accuracy down to decimetre level
• Robust positioning through the authentication of the navigation data
• Resistance to interference (jamming and spoofing) and high resilience
• The return link for Search and Rescue operations

While the European Commission is ultimately responsible for the Galileo programme, EUSPA is responsible for deploying the system and providing technical support for operational tasks, in addition to overseeing its service provision and market development.

In this way, EUSPA serves as the link between the satellites in space and the end user on Earth.

While the European Commission is ultimately responsible for the Galileo programme, EUSPA is the Service provider of all Galileo services and has established service front desks available to users. Furthermore, EUSPA is responsible for the maintenance and minor evolutions of the Galileo system including deployment.

Additionally, EUSPA steers market development activities to capture user needs. In this way, EUSPA serves as the link between Galileo and end users.

The Galileo system is comprised of three segments:

1. Space Segment

A constellation of satellites transmitting navigation signals as specified in the different Galileo SIS ICDs, providing user access to the Galileo services. The baseline constellation configuration is defined as 24/3/1 Walker constellation: 24 nominal Medium Earth Orbit satellites are arranged in three orbital planes.

2. Ground Segment

The Galileo Ground Segment includes both the Ground Control Segment (GCS) and the Ground Mission Segment (GMS) encompassing the following infrastructure:

• Two Galileo Control Centres (GCC)
• A worldwide network of Galileo Sensor Stations (GSS)
• A worldwide network of Galileo Uplink Stations (ULS)
• A worldwide network of Telemetry, Tracking & Control stations (TTC stations)

The core infrastructure is complemented by the Service Facilities supporting the Galileo services provision:

• The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC)
• The Geodetic Reference Service Provider (GRSP)
• The Time Service Provider (TSP)
• The Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC)
• SAR/Galileo Data Service Provider (SGDSP)
• Galileo Reference Centre (GRC)

3. User Segment

Different GNSS receivers and devices that receive the Galileo signal-in-space (SiS).

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Galileo offers several services worldwide: Open Service, Public Regulated Service, Search and Rescue Service, High Accuracy Service, Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (currently under preparation) and will offer Emergency Warning Satellite Service and Signal Authentication Service.

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Galileo is the EU’s Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS). Like other global systems, Galileo provides radio signals for position, navigation and timing purposes.

Yes, all receivers compliant with RTCA/DO-229C MOPS will work with any SBAS. All SBAS service providers meet on a regular basis to ensure signal compatibility and system interoperability.

ESTB (EGNOS System Test Bed) is a reduced version of EGNOS that uses dedicated monitoring stations and processing devices. Since February 2000, ESTB has been offering an experimental signal to help navigation equipment manufacturers and application developers test their products. The experimental signal also allows users to become familiar with EGNOS and allows tests to be conducted so EGNOS can expand its services outside of Europe.

EGNOS and ESTB are two independent systems making use of their own ground segment infrastructure and different geostationary satellites. EGNOS and ESTB also broadcast two different signals. The ESTB signal cannot and does not provide the availability and integrity that EGNOS provides. Therefore, it cannot be used in any safety critical applications.