When finalized, it is expected to consist of 27 satellites plus a suitable number of spares satellites in an orbit with an altitude of approx. 23,000 km above the surface of the earth, and a worldwide net of approximately 40 ground stations.

The Galileo programme is an ambitious attempt to develop a European satellite navigation system based on a network of 32 satellites and providing services superior to those provided by the American GPS navigation system.

There are 18 stations on the air that are linked now by a satellite network, RFA, le Réseau francophone d'Amérique, providing several services.

[Translation] Mr. Serge Paquin: We currently have 18 minority stations on the air, and they are all part of a satellite network, the Réseau francophone d'Amérique.

Let us remember, briefly, that the GALILEO satellite navigation programme is an ambitious project which provides for the deployment of an arrangement of satellites in orbit at a distance of about 20 000 km from the Earth, linked to a network of ground control stations.

Enhancing the use of satellite services in the Community The amending directive intends to abolish restrictions in : - the provision of all satellite earth station equipment such as Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) equipment for business networks, mobile satellite equipment, Satellite News Gathering units, Direct-to-Home television reception equipment etc, - the provision of satellite services over satellite business networks to allow e.g corporate voice services (not connected to the public switched network), . interactive data services from a central location to retail outlets . videotransmissions for the training of corporate staff ...[+++] located on various sites, . transmission of the content of a daily paper to remote printing locations - the provision of mobile satellite services to allow e.g. tracking of and communications with road haulage fleets or fisheries fleets, the monitoring of dangerous transports, satellite links to aircraft, etc.