Parliament approved detailed rules governing the future public regulated service of the Galileo, the European satellite navigation system Galileo which will provide GPS signals for government users such as the police, military or security services in addition to signals for navigation devices for cars and shipping from 2014.

MEPs adopted the European Commission's proposal on Galileo satellite navigation use also for defence and security services with 556 votes in favour against 71 and 30 abstentions. Galileo will set up an enhanced global satellite navigation system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service. It will offer five services, the Public Regulated Service (PRS), the Open Service, the Search-and-Rescue Service, the Safety-of-Life Service and the Commercial Service. The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Safety-of-Life Service, was launched in March 2011.

The rules approved by the European Parliament will set up the access to encrypted signals and the conditions under which companies will be allowed to develop and sell the software applications or navigation devices. They make a clear distinction between PRS participants, such as Member States, the Council, the Commission (as well as EU agencies, non-member countries and international organisations) and PRS users, who are companies, authorities and persons authorised by the participants to manufacture, own or use a PRS receiver. Users will have to undergo security checks and apply encryption keys when operating the receivers. Nevertheless, participation will be optional for each Member State, as well as the way the service will be used and whether users should pay for it.

The legislative proposal will now be forwarded to the Council. If approved, the PRS could be made available after Galileo becomes operational in 2014, together with two other initial Galileo services, the Open Service and the Search-And-Rescue Service.