The project aims at distributing ultra-accurate and traceable timing through optical fibres. The goal is to provide traceable, accurate and cost-effective timing information for the Galileo Time System and for customers requiring highly dependable distributed synchronization applications. The target customers include government authorities as European Galileo Agency (for the Galileo surface segment) and customers in Telecom, Smart-Grid, stock market (high frequency trading) and highly accurate positioning markets (conventionally dependent on satellite signals). The use of terrestrial timing distribution allows National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) in charge of Galileo Time Validation Facility to compare their clocks and steer to UTC, maximizing the traceability of Galileo System Time and enhancing its accuracy. In addition, this allows deploying a terrestrial time network for industrial applications, traceable with respect to UTC and Galileo, robust against satellite signal vulnerability problems and providing redundant time services for critical infrastructures. This is possible with the emergent White Rabbit (WR) solution which is a sub-nanosecond accurate timing technology originally born at CERN for scientific facilities. WR is an extension of the standard Ethernet based on time distribution standards. As an extension of Ethernet, it can be easily integrated with existing communication networks at negligible bandwidth cost and can distribute time and frequency signals with 100 ps accuracy over distances longer than 1000 Km. The purpose of this project is to confirm a business plan and develop in detail an appropriate strategy to penetrate the market. This includes a proper market analysis (existing markets and emergent applications), partnership strategies and concrete commercialization plan for those sectors. In phase 1, we will focus on exploring the specific characteristics of different potential customers and final application sectors.

The project aims at distributing ultra-accurate and traceable timing based on Galileo System Time (GST) through optical fibers. The goal is twofold. First, the project will facilitate the extension of the Galileo surface segment, through connecting the elements of the PTF and then the TVF. These links can be extended by using the telecom operators’ optical fiber infrastructure so that GSA and National Metrology Institutes can provide time as a service for key facilities all around the world. This allows deploying a terrestrial time network for the incoming 2020 applications, ultra-accurate, traceable with respect to UTC/Galileo GST and fully dependable. It will be a key solution to enable applications as autonomous navigation, UAVs, telecommunications infrastructure virtualization or indoor positioning. The second goal aims to provide a solution for Galileo GNSS receivers, resilient and secured against jamming and spoofing attacks. By distributing multiple GNSS receivers scattered around large areas we will provide a unique global clock reference, fully dependable for industrial applications. The target customers include critical infrastructures in segments like Telecommunications, Smart Grid and Finance (conventionally dependent on satellite signals) as well as next generation of Industrial Internet of Things and distributed systems. Our solution is possible with the emergent White Rabbit (WR) solution which is a sub-nanosecond accurate timing technology originally born at CERN for scientific facilities. WR is an extension of the standard Ethernet based on time distribution standards. As an extension of Ethernet, it can be easily integrated with existing communication networks at negligible bandwidth cost and can distribute time and frequency signals with 100 ps accuracy over long distances.

The study of critical dependancies upon GNSS-derived time and position identifies telecomunications, emergency services, energy, finance, food and transport as the sectors where GNSS plays a key role. GNSS is used as a timing source for the synchronization of various types of network and has been recently dened as the backbone of the connected world and also the invisible utility. Some of these networks are classied as critical infrastructures and, together with other service infrastructures, pose security-related requirements on top of timing accuracy requirements. ROOT (Rolling Out OSNMA for the secure synchronization of Telecom networks) project will assess the benefits introduced by the Galileo OSNMA signal in the specific context of telecommunication network synchronization applications. It will estimate the increased resiliance brough by OSNMA to GNSS-based timing sources. ROOT will consider the requirements, such as accuracy, tollerance to timing outages, etc., posed by the 5G playground to guarantee the expected perfomance. ROOT will follow an experimental approach to demonstrate and measure the increased level of robusteness provided by new multi-frequency, OSNMA-ready Galileo receivers, when they slave multiple timing sources across the network. This will be combined to secure network synchronization distribution by means of Precision Time Protocol and its White Rabbit flavour; specific network-related Key Performance Indicators will be measured. ROOT will foster the adoption of Galileo signals featuring authentication mechanisms in terrestrial infrastructures dependant upon satellite-derived time. ROOT partners cover the whole value chain for critical infrastructures: from research to manufacturers of GNSS and timing components, from networks operators to experts in market strategies, the partners complement each other in terms of knowledge and competences. They collectively constitute a consortium capable of fulfilling the project objectives.

The RESCUE project aims to strengthen the resilience, security, and adaptability of critical infrastructure systems through advanced edge computing, AI-driven anomaly detection, and robust communication networks. In an era of increasing cyber threats, environmental challenges, and resource uncertainties, maintaining stable and secure critical infrastructure is vital for societal well-being and economic continuity. RESCUE focuses on real-time data processing at the edge, resilient communication channels, and advanced cybersecurity to enable continuous operation and rapid response to risks. The project will deliver cutting-edge solutions to enhance the reliability of power distribution, urban infrastructure, and communication networks by implementing flexible, autonomous systems that maintain functionality even in the face of unexpected disruptions. By integrating diverse sensor data, strengthening multi-channel connectivity, and employing AI for predictive insights, RESCUE ensures that infrastructure systems can detect, classify, and respond to threats autonomously. The project combines technical innovations with a strong emphasis on data privacy and security, aligning with EU regulations like the Cyber Resilience Act and the AI Act. Through rigorous testing and demonstrative use cases across Europe, RESCUE’s solutions will set new standards for critical infrastructure resilience, paving the way for safer and more dependable smart city and energy systems.

A scientific and technological paradigm change is taking place, concerning the way that very high performance time and frequency reference signals are distributed, moving from radio signal broadcasting to signal transport over optical fibre networks. The latter technology demonstrates performance improvements by orders of magnitude, over distances up to continental scale. Research infrastructures are developing several related technologies, adapted to specific projects and applications. The present project aims to prepare the transfer of this new generation of technology to industry and to strengthen the coordination between research infrastructures and the research and education telecommunication networks, in order to prepare the deployment of this technology to create a sustainable, pan-European network, providing high-performance "clock" services to European research infrastructures. Further this core network will be designed to be compatible with a global European vision of time and frequency distribution over telecommunication networks, enabling it to provide support to a multitude of lower-performance time services, responding to the rapidly growing needs created by developments such as cloud computing, Internet of Things and Industry 4.0. The project aims at partnership building and innovation for high performance time and frequency (clock) services over optical fibre networks and to prepare the implementation of such a European backbone network.