What Is the European GPS System?

Europe is launching its own GPS system.

EGNOS, also known as the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, is Europe's new GPS, or Global Positioning System, states Tech World. This new European Union GPS service promises to be state of the art when fully launched in 2014.

Benefits

Reportedly more accurate than the United States' GPS system, EGNOS promises to have accuracies down to 6 feet, says Tech World. EGNOS will be free to access for the European Union public.

Accuracy

EGNOS will also have additional one centimeter precision for commercial use and encryption for government use, helping in search and rescue situations, says USA Today. Britain and Germany plan to work in conjunction and launch 16 satellites into orbit to achieve this virtual pinpoint accuracy.

Expansion

EGNOS has been undergoing many years of testing since 2006, utilizing current GPS/SBAS receivers. Expansion into neighboring countries and Northern Africa is planned for the future, though initially EGNOS will only serve 27 European Union states, reports Tech World.

References

• Tech World: Europe launches free GPS system
• USA Today: EU says Europe's 'superior' GPS system on track for 2014