 n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
 ·Optimum Online
1 edit | Alternatives This story had appeared about two weeks ago in Network World. While GPS currently has the monopoly on global positioning (no pun intended), Russia is working on getting their GLONASS system back online and Galileo is under construction. Having multiple alternatives instead of a sole source provider would be a good thing. Unfortunately, multiple source would require new equipment except for some of the high-end equipment that supports both GLONASS and GPS.
Unfortunately, all this noise could lead to another "us versus them" situation like we have been seeing with the Internet. The United States invented and funded its development yet there are countries that want control taken away from the U.S. and turned over to the ITU. We could eventually see a similar action to liberate GPS control from the United States because it is now considered an international resource. That would, however, be a lot more difficult to accomplish considering possession of the satellites is the key to the operation. With the internet, countries could simply cut their router links with the United States to try and force change.
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I support the right to keep and arm bears. |
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 marigoldsGainfully employed, finallyPremium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1 | GPS has nowhere close to a monopoly. It's just the only free service 
There are plenty of commercial geolocation satellite services. Of course, those cost money. |
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 OmegaDisplaced OhioanPremium
join:2002-07-30
Cheyenne, WY | reply to n2jtx
Glonass and galileo will have nothing on the GPS system.
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Whats smells like blue? |
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