The European Commission (EC) has commenced operation of a free satellite-based service aiming to improve the accuracy of GPS signals within Europe.
The commission has launched the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), which promises to be able to improve GPS signals from about ten meters to two meters.
The service covers most European states, and may be used for free by citizens and businesses across the EU, the EC said.
EU vice president for transport Antonio Tajani said the EGNOS service is the precursor to the EU's planned Galileo satellite navigation network, which is being developed as a replacement to the US-controlled GPS networks.
“What we are doing today [is] opening the door for European businesses and citizens to benefit from the myriad of... new opportunities made possible by more precise navigation signals,” vice president for transport Antoio Tajani said.
“We are laying the foundation stone of a very imminent future.”
The EU is developing Galileo in conjunction with the European Space Agency (ESA).