The Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU) delayed the naming of the winning bid to operate Europe’s satellite navigation system. The winner of the concession was supposed to be named in March, but in a prepared statement, the GJU said the two remaining bidders both demonstrated their ability to operate the system. The remaining consortia are Eurely (led by Aena, Alcatel, Finmeccanica and Hispasat) and iNavSat (led by EADS Space, Inmarsat and Thales).

“Both consortia substantially improved their original bids from September 2004,” GJU Executive Director Rainer Grohe said in a prepared statement. “That is why it proved valuable to extend the phase. Both consortia demonstrated [the capability] to act as concessionaire. Due to this fact and in order to achieve the best value for the public, I have decided to invite both consortia [to participate in] parallel negotiations on the concession contract.” He added that it could take up to three months to determine who will win the concession.

In a prepared statement, Eurely said it “is pleased that the GJU has again recognized the quality of its Galileo concession offer and is confident that its proposal will finally be selected as the preferred solution for the success of Galileo, its construction, operation and exploitation.”

At press time, iNavSat issued no comments on the GJU naming delay.