WIREDGOV

GPS data can now be obtained via the internet in addition to access via the existing satellite signal. Vice President Antonio Tajani launched yesterday in Brussels the European Data Access Service (EDAS) - a new commercial service of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) – designed to make satellite navigation in Europe more reliable and thus more effective for use in commercial applications in difficult surroundings. EDAS will support new services in numerous sectors including high-precision fertiliser spraying, automatic road-tolling, fleet management, inland waterway navigation, dangerous goods transportation or accurate area measurement (for examples see MEMO/12/601). Access to GPS data will also be possible via hand-held devices, using wireless communication from added value service providers.

EGNOS increases GPS accuracy and supports applications requiring high precision by correcting errors caused by atmospheric disturbance factors. As it makes GPS data available via the internet, EDAS ensures that users can access EGNOS information even if the EGNOS satellite signal in space is unavailable - perhaps because of signal obstruction in urban areas. EDAS provides the same information as EGNOS, with the addition of extra data, enabling the creation of new and innovative products and services. EDAS provides a reliable service and the European Commission is fully committed to the service on a long-term basis.

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "This third EGNOS service once again proves the European Commission's commitment to delivering improved services to the EU's businesses and citizens. So much of our day-to-day private and business lives are dependent on satellite navigation technology. With EDAS, we have a reliable performance level which can in turn support the creation of new and innovative products and thus help to overcome the current economic crisis."

Contacting EGNOS/Galileo

The EGNOS Helpdesk (email: egnos-helpdesk@essp-sas.eu, website: http://egnos-user-support.essp-sas.eu, telephone: +34 911236555) allows users to register for the service, ask questions about the status of EGNOS services and performance and consult the EDAS Service Definition Document (EDAS SDD).

See MEMO/12/601

Background

The EDAS Service is provided by ESSP (EGNOS Service Provider) under a contract with the European Commission.

EGNOS is the first pan-European satellite-based augmentation system. Similar services are provided in North America by the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and in Japan by the Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS). EGNOS is Europe's first contribution to satellite navigation and is the precursor to Galileo.

The EGNOS system works as follows: 40 ranging and integrity monitoring stations (RIMS) spread across Europe receive signals from US GPS satellites; four mission control centers handle data processing and differential corrections counting; while six navigation land earth stations manage accuracy and reliability data sent to the three satellite transponders, for relay to end-user devices.

EGNOS increases the accuracy of GPS and enables applications requiring higher precision by correcting errors caused by atmospheric disturbance factors. Since October 2009 Europeans have benefitted from the EGNOS Open Service's improved positioning signals (IP/09/1399).Citizens can profit from better personal GPS navigation provided that they use an EGNOS-enabled receiver (as most recent models do).

Since March 2011, air carriers with a certified receiver aboard their aircraft can use EGNOS for en-route navigation and precision approaches, enabling safer landings and more energy-efficient flights (IP/11/247). This "Safety-of-Life" EGNOS Service enables precision landing approaches, making air navigation safer and reduces delays, diversions and cancellations of flights. In addition, EGNOS allows airports to increase their overall capacity and cut operating costs. EGNOS also enables the planning of shorter, more fuel-efficient routes which helps to reduce the CO2 emissions of the aviation industry.

Contacts :

Carlo Corazza (+32 2 295 17 52)

Sara Tironi (+32 2 299 04 03)