EU resolves bickering over satnav initiative

European nations apparently have resolved their objections over budgeting of Galileo, Europe’s $4.2 billion rival to GPS. Several EU nations had voiced concern about Galileo’s high cost, with some countries, most recently Spain, complaining they had been left out of commercial bidding negotiations. Under the final plan, Spain’s share increases from 9.5 percent to 10.25 percent. The cost of Galileo is being shared by 15 European countries. The first Galileo satellites must be launched by 2005 or Europe may forfeit frequencies allotted by the International Telecommunications Union. That means a go-ahead decision must be reached this summer.