Around the world, governments, soldiers and civilians have come to rely on the Global Positioning System for all sorts of navigational uses
Published:
16 August 2003 y., Saturday
Around the world, governments, soldiers and civilians have come to rely on the Global Positioning System for all sorts of navigational uses. But the users rely on nearly 30 satellites operated by the U.S. Defense Department. As GPS becomes a part of everyday life, there is growing concern about this dependence on a U.S. government system.
There is no place in the world where the Global Positioning System is so heavily used as Japan. Millions of drivers depend on dashboard GPS systems to guide them, and about four million cellular phones in Japan are equipped with GPS receivers.
In much of the world, GPS satellite signals are used to track trucking and shipping fleets, airliners and trains.
Worldwide sales of GPS equipment are estimated to be worth $16.5 billion this year, and the amount is expected to double by 2006. Japanese manufacturers enjoy a substantial share of that market. But many people around the world worry about relying on the GPS system, which the U.S. military owns. They fear the United States might begin to charge for using the system, or make the signal less accurate or cut it off entirely in time of war. That could cause huge problems for airline traffic and shipping.
The only alternative now is a Russian military network, which also could be cut off.
Šaltinis:
voanews.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Software company announced new structure_ of it_s business.
more »
According to the council's report, ATM-skimming fraud, which involves illicitly copying ATM card information stored on magnetic stripes, is increasing in Europe.
more »
Building on the success of the recent HP TouchSmart PC for the home, HP today introduced the market’s first all-in-one, touch-enabled desktop PC for businesses.
more »
Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced the beta availability of the Windows 7 operating system as well as the availability of the latest version of the Windows Live, a suite of personal communications services and applications.
more »
Cash-cycle management, branch optimization, sales/marketing consultation and automation, automated checkout and managed services are expected highlights for January's Wincor World 2009.
more »
We all need to better understand the media we are touched by daily, especially the young, says Austrian Socialist Christa Prets. MEPs backed her report on “media literacy in a digital world” on Tuesday.
more »
Since October, readers of the European Parliament's web pages have had access to RSS, which allows them to keep up-to-date with what is going on via a free subscription.
more »
Fox and Motorola collaboration results in first all-HD programming distribution strategy.
more »
Wincor Nixdorf has won a contract to integrate its cash management solution, consisting of staff-assisted self-service terminals, software and comprehensive services, in the checkout zones and IT operations of Shell Deutschland’s 1,300 service stations.
more »
The role that the internet can play in parliamentary democracy was explored this week when 400 people gathered in Brussels for the annual “e-Parliament conference”.
more »
The EU’s new digital library brings vast treasure trove of historical documents, rare and valuable manuscripts and exquisite cultural artefacts to your desk.
more »