BELS has implemented a set of coordinated actions to promote EGNSS technologies in South East Asia (SEA), a fast-growing market of more than 600 million people. BELS activities have spanned a 3-year period in which Galileo Initial Services have started and the Galileo constellation has been completed: just the perfect moment to pave the way for the introduction of Galileo services in SEA. BELS focused its action on European companies, by facilitating their entrances into a new growing market, and on South East Asian countries, by heading them to discover the potentialities of EGNSS technology. Main objective was to facilitate the breakthrough of EGNSS technology in SEA through a set of coordinated activities for awareness raising, capacity building and tests of solutions.
Focal point of the action is the Navis Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam, whose mission is to act as linking entity between Europe and SEA in the field of GNSS. The NAVIS aims to ease cross-links between EU and SEA actors, to promote EGNSS technology, and reinforce international collaboration among players.
The Region around the NAVIS Centre has the highest multi-GNSS coverage and is the natural place where performance and opportunities offered by the different GNSSs are compared and tested. Important ionospheric scintillation phenomena, affecting GNSS systems, take place in subtropical regions and can be observed in SEA. Mitigation of the consequences of scintillation is crucial for ensuring better equipment and services that are key factors for gaining larger market shares.
BELS contributed to facilitate the exploitation of the NAVIS Centre by European companies. Its peculiar geographic position (excellent visibility of all the GNSS systems today available - the so-called Multi-GNSS environment - and high ionospheric activity) makes it a perfect site to test GNSS solutions of European companies to make them ready for the global market.
During its lifespan, BELS largely achieved its objectives: 18 companies have been accompanied in Vietnam to meet relevant officers and stakeholders, while 11 have tested their GNSS equipment and solutions in Hanoi. All the companies have now a better understanding of the SEA environment and are ready to start their deals there. Some of them have already establish business relations in the regions. More than 1000 SEA governmental officers, companies and researchers have been involved in BELS+ activities and have been exposed to EGNSS technology. Reliable relations have been established in all SEA countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam), which opens opportunities for future activities in the region.
