Putin signs decree to make Glonass free for customers

Moscow, May 19 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to make Glonass navigation satellite system, a Russian version of the US Global Positioning System (GPS), free of cost for customers, the Kremlin press service said.

"Access to civilian navigation signals of global navigation satellite system Glonass is provided to Russian and foreign customers free of charge and without limitations," the presidential decree said.

In accordance with the decree, satellite navigation equipment bought for federal bodies of executive power and organizations subordinate to them should operate using Glonass signals.

Glonass is designed for both military and civilian use and allows users to identify their positions in real time. The system can also be used in geological prospecting.

Putin has charged the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) with coordinating work to maintain, develop and use the system for civilian and commercial needs.

Last month, the Agency head Anatoly Perminov said Russia would bring the number of satellites comprising its Glonass navigation system to 18 by the end of 2007.

He also said a full orbital group of 24 satellites will be ready for global coverage by the end of 2009, but even with 18 satellites in orbit it will be able to start providing services for military and civilian users, covering Russian territory.

UNI