Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MONTREAL28
2008-02-07 21:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Montreal
Cable title:  

ICAO ACKNOWLEDGES U.S. OFFER CONTINUING GPS SERVICES

Tags:  AORC ECPS ICAO CA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS MONTREAL 000028 

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION ICAO

DEPT FOR IO/T, OES/SAT, L/OES, L/T, L/EB, EEB/TRA/OTP
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC ECPS ICAO CA
SUBJECT: ICAO ACKNOWLEDGES U.S. OFFER CONTINUING GPS SERVICES

UNCLAS MONTREAL 000028

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION ICAO

DEPT FOR IO/T, OES/SAT, L/OES, L/T, L/EB, EEB/TRA/OTP
TRANSPORTATION FOR OST
FAA FOR API-20

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC ECPS ICAO CA
SUBJECT: ICAO ACKNOWLEDGES U.S. OFFER CONTINUING GPS SERVICES


1. The President of the governing Council of the International
Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO),Roberto Kobeh, sent a reply to
the FAA Administrator, copied to USICAO, affirming ICAO's acceptance
of the September 10, 2007 United States' offer to continue worldwide
access to the U.S. Global Positioning System-GPS. Text of ICAO's
acceptance, which repeats the U.S. offer, is given paragraph two.
The exchange of letters renews the pre-existing agreement regarding
GPS services between the United States Government and ICAO. A PDF
copy of the letter has been emailed to OES/SAT RClore, IO/T LLuftig,
EB/TRA/OTP WDayton, L/EB K Milton, and L/OES M Simonoff, FAA/API
JTooren, FAA BCleese, and DOT/OST J Kiser.


2. The text of President Kobeh's December 18, 2007 letter is
below.

Begin text:

Sir/Madam,

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the letter dated
September 10, 2007 from Mrs. Marion C. Blakey, Administrator,
Federal Aviation Administration, which reads as follows:

(Begin quote of US offer) This letter reaffirms the United States
Government's commitment to provide the Global Positioning System-GPS
Standard Positioning Service-SPS for aviation throughout the world.
Further, the United States commits to provide the Wide-Area
Augmentation System (WAAS) service within its prescribed service
volume.

More than ten years ago, the United States began providing the GPS
SPS. Since 1994, GPS has grown into a global utility whose
multi-use services have become essential elements of the worldwide
infrastructure. In 2003, the United States commissioned the WAAS
Satellite-Based Augmentation System to provide improved space-based
positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service. In 2004, the U.S.
Government's GPS management structure was improved by national
policy directive to accommodate a more comprehensive approach to
planning, resource allocation, and system development. This policy
strengthens civil participation in managing GPS and supports state
aircraft access to airspace using other using other GPS signals,
such as Precise Positioning Service (PPS) where the capability is
equivalent.

The U.S. Government maintains its commitment to provide GPS SPS
signals on a continuous worldwide basis, free of direct user fees,
enabling worldwide civil space-based PNT services (to include GPS
SPS augmentation),and to provide open, free access to information
necessary to develop and build equipment to use these services.

The U.S. Government commits to providing single frequency WAAS
signals on a nondiscriminatory basis, free of direct user fees,
throughout the area of coverage of WAAS satellites within its
prescribed service volume and to provide open free access to
information necessary to develop and build equipment to use these
services. WAAS provides new and improved aviation capabilities for
satellite-based vertical-guidance procedures, consistent
International Civil Aviation Organization initiatives. The U.S.
Government has concluded arrangements with Canada and Mexico that
extend the WAAS service in North America and is supporting testing
and development of WAAS capabilities for the Western Hemisphere.

The U.S. Government plans to take all necessary measures for the
foreseeable future to maintain the integrity, reliability, and
availability of the GPS SPS and WAAS service and expects to provide
at least six years' notice prior to any termination of such
operations or elimination of such services.

All of the above commitments are subject to the availability of
funds as required by United States law.

The availability of GPS and WAAS signals is not intended in any way
to limit the right of any State to control the operations of
aircraft and enforce safety regulations within its sovereign
airspace. Furthermore, the United States expects that standards and
recommended practices (SARPS) developed by the ICAO will continue to
be compatible with GPS operations and vice versa, and that States
will be free to augment GPS in accordance with appropriate SARPS.

I (FAA-Blakey)would greatly appreciate your confirmation that the
ICAO is satisfied with the foregoing political commitments, which I
submit in lieu of an agreement. In that event, this letter and your
reply will comprise the continued mutual understanding between the
Government of the United States and the ICAO regarding the provision
and use of space-based navigation services." (End quote of U.S.
offer)

I (ICAO Pres. Kobeh) am pleased to inform you that the arrangements
contained in the foregoing are acceptable to the International Civil
Aviation Organization.
Complimentary close and signed by Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez. (End text
of ICAO acceptance)
BLISS MARSHALL