In a world where navigation becomes more complex with the rise of connected technologies, the accuracy of geolocation represents a major challenge for many industrial and technological sectors. Orange, the European leader in telecommunications, supported by its specialized subsidiary Totem, has formed a strategic partnership with the American company Point One Navigation to develop a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) network with unprecedented precision, down to the centimeter. This initiative aims to revolutionize the capabilities of traditional GPS in Europe, particularly in France and Spain, thanks to a dense and innovative network of antennas and correction stations. This technical advance heralds a new era for precise navigation, supporting applications ranging from precision agriculture to autonomous robotics.
This project relies on an unprecedented infrastructure deployed on more than 500 telecommunications towers managed by Totem, where Point One Navigation’s GNSS correction stations are installed. By integrating these devices with Orange’s 4G and 5G networks, real-time corrections significantly enhance the reliability and accuracy of positioning data. This collaboration opens ambitious prospects for sectors often limited by the error margins of current systems, particularly in construction, public safety, autonomous vehicles, and surveying. Discover how Orange and Totem combine technological innovation and network expertise to achieve a decisive breakthrough in the field of geolocation and next-generation navigation.
- 1 The strategic partnership between Orange, Totem, and Point One Navigation for next-generation GPS
- 2 Technical operation of the centimeter-precision geolocation system
- 3 Applications of centimeter-precision GPS technology in precision agriculture
- 4 Impact of centimeter precision on construction sites and civil engineering
- 5 Revolution in autonomous vehicles and robotics thanks to next-generation GPS
- 6 Economic and ecological benefits of the next-generation GPS offered by Orange and Totem
- 7 Challenges and future prospects for ultra-precise geolocation in Europe
- 8 Cultural and social impact of centimeter-precision navigation
The collaboration between Orange, Totem, and Point One Navigation represents an exceptional alliance in the field of GPS technologies. This trio relies on strong synergy to deploy what will eventually be the largest GNSS correction network in Europe.
Orange brings its expertise in mobile networks with a dense and reliable 4G and 5G coverage, essential for instantly transmitting positioning corrections to users. Its subsidiary Totem, for its part, manages a large portfolio of 27,300 sites in France and Spain, providing the ideal physical infrastructure to host Point One’s GNSS correction stations.
Point One Navigation, a pioneer in ultra-precise satellite correction, takes charge of installing and managing this equipment on Totem’s pylons. This operational independence is at the heart of the system, ensuring maximum availability and full control over performance.
A pioneering infrastructure in Europe
- More than 500 GNSS correction stations installed on telecommunication towers
- Initial coverage focused on France and Spain, with ambitions for continental expansion
- Direct integration with 4G/5G mobile networks for fast data transmission
- Autonomous management of stations by Point One to ensure performance and reliability
This network will not only improve the accuracy of existing geolocation systems but also create new opportunities for industries dependent on ultra-precise positioning data. The partnership is an example of collaborative innovation, pooling strategic skills and infrastructures.
| Actors | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | Network operator and mobile infrastructure provider | 4G/5G networks, connectivity, recommendation to professional clients |
| Totem | Manager of telecommunication towers | Installation of GNSS stations on more than 500 pylons |
| Point One Navigation | Provider of GNSS equipment and autonomous network management | Setting up the satellite correction network, real-time data management |
Technical operation of the centimeter-precision geolocation system
The centimeter precision of this new generation of GPS relies on real-time correction technology for GNSS signals. Satellites like those of traditional GPS systems send signals which, upon reception on the ground, may include errors related to propagation, clock drift, or atmospheric interferences.
GNSS stations installed on Totem’s towers capture these signals live and identify the slightest inaccuracies. These errors are then corrected by sophisticated computer processing before being immediately retransmitted to users via Orange’s mobile networks. This method, called RTK (Real-Time Kinematic), greatly improves the precision of positioning coordinates.
- Continuous collection of satellite signals on fixed stations
- Real-time analysis of discrepancies between expected and received signals
- Fast transmission of corrected data to mobile terminals and connected objects
- Seamless integration with compatible user equipment
This architecture allows for exact positioning essential for sensitive uses where every centimeter counts. By integrating RTK correction via a dense network of stations across the territory, Orange and its partners significantly increase the reliability and accuracy of accessible GPS information.
| System element | Function | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|
| GNSS satellites | Emission of geolocation signals | Global coverage but susceptible to errors |
| Fixed GNSS stations (Totem) | Real-time data capture and analysis | Signal error correction |
| Orange mobile network 4G/5G | Fast transmission of corrections | Increased responsiveness and availability |
| User terminals | Reception and processing of corrected data | Centimeter-level positioning accuracy |
Applications of centimeter-precision GPS technology in precision agriculture
The agricultural sector is one of the primary beneficiaries of this GPS innovation. Precision agriculture requires extremely fine guidance of machinery to maximize yields while reducing inputs. This centimeter-level precision in geolocation allows tractors, seeders, and sprayers to follow an optimal path without unnecessary overlap or untreated zones.
Optimization of agricultural practices through ultra-precise geolocation
- Fine management of fertilizer and pesticide applications, limiting pollution
- Automated machinery guidance to reduce operator fatigue and improve productivity
- Accurate mapping of soils and crops for better-informed decisions
- Real-time crop monitoring and rapid adjustment of practices
For example, thanks to this next-generation GPS, a Spanish farmer can trace furrows with near-perfect precision, avoiding overlapping zones that waste resources. The reduction of input costs and yield improvement are measurable over the long term, with a positive impact on the environment.
| Agricultural use | Benefits provided | Practical example |
|---|---|---|
| Automated sowing | Reduction of placement errors, seed savings | Precisely guided path to the centimeter |
| Targeted phytosanitary treatment | Reduction in chemical product use | Localized application on high-risk zones |
| Intelligent irrigation system | Optimized water management | Adjustments based on precise geolocated data |
Impact of centimeter precision on construction sites and civil engineering
The building sector is also strongly impacted by this next-generation GPS technology. In public works and on construction sites, precise navigation of machinery is crucial to meet plans and avoid costly errors.
Construction machinery equipped with RTK systems can position themselves exactly according to 3D models of buildings or infrastructures to be built, thanks to real-time corrections provided by stations installed on Totem’s towers.
Advantages of the new GPS technology on construction sites
- Improvement of work quality through exact positioning
- Reduction of delays thanks to reliable and error-free navigation
- Lower costs related to reworks and placement errors
- Better coordination between teams thanks to precise mapping
For example, during the construction of a real estate complex in Paris, autonomous machinery equipped with this technology was able to follow the plan’s markers with unmatched accuracy, thus avoiding bad cuts and common defects.
| Fields of use | Concrete improvements | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Earthworks and leveling | Precise measurements facilitating soil preparation | Machinery continuously guided on digital plans |
| Structure layout | Exact positioning of foundations | Reduction of human error risks |
| Real-time site monitoring | Improved team coordination | Management of intervention zones |
Revolution in autonomous vehicles and robotics thanks to next-generation GPS
Autonomous vehicles, whether terrestrial, aerial, or maritime, are among the greatest beneficiaries of centimeter-level geolocation accuracy. Exact positioning allows better control and enhanced safety of movements, especially in complex environments or areas characterized by a high density of obstacles.
Major contributions for autonomous technologies
- Reliable navigation of vehicles without human intervention
- Reduction of accident risks related to positioning errors
- Optimization of trajectories and energy consumption
- Enhanced coordination in industrial and logistics spaces
For example, in a warehouse in Lyon, handling robots equipped with this technology were able to operate without constant supervision, moving freely and safely. This increased precision opens the way for more ambitious scenarios in public transportation and urban logistics.
| Fields | Advantages | Examples of use |
|---|---|---|
| Urban autonomous vehicles | Increased safety, reliable decision-making | Robot taxis in testing phase in Barcelona |
| Drones and aircraft | Precise navigation for complex missions | Medical deliveries in isolated areas |
| Industrial robots | Precision of movements and coordination | Automation in storage warehouses |
Economic and ecological benefits of the next-generation GPS offered by Orange and Totem
The innovation behind this next-generation GPS is not only a technological breakthrough but also delivers tangible economic and environmental benefits.
Companies using this centimeter-level geolocation can optimize their costs, limit losses, and reduce their carbon footprint by streamlining machine movements, raw material use, and energy consumption. The increased precision also boosts the competitiveness of traditional sectors by allowing them to adopt more efficient and sustainable processes.
Notable gains for businesses and the planet
- Reduction of operational costs thanks to task accuracy
- Reduction of waste and emissions related to industrial processes
- Better resource planning and stock management
- Positive impact on the sustainability of infrastructures and natural resources
In France, a construction company recorded a 15% reduction in the volume of materials used thanks to more precise work management, also reducing waste. Meanwhile, agricultural operations significantly reduce the amount of phytosanitary products used through targeted spreading.
| Benefit type | Concrete example | Estimated impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cost reduction | Optimized construction sites in Paris | -15% material waste |
| Environmental reduction | Precision agriculture in Spain | Less pesticide and water use |
| Productivity improvement | Robotized logistics in Lyon | +20% operational efficiency |
Challenges and future prospects for ultra-precise geolocation in Europe
Although the next-generation GPS technology developed by Orange, Totem, and Point One is promising, several challenges remain to ensure its widespread adoption and full integration across various sectors.
The densification of the correction station network must continue to guarantee optimal coverage, particularly in rural or mountainous areas. User device compatibility with this technology must also improve, while issues related to data security and privacy must be rigorously managed.
Priority development axes and technological challenges
- Geographical extension of the network in Europe beyond France and Spain
- Compatibility and standardization of next-generation GPS equipment
- Strengthening cybersecurity and privacy protection
- Promotion among professional and general users
The challenges are also economic, with a considerable market potential for high-precision GPS. Aaron Nathan, founder of Point One, highlights the crucial role this partnership plays in positioning his company as a key player in the new technological era.
| Challenge | Description | Envisioned solution |
|---|---|---|
| Network coverage | Need for a denser network to guarantee constant precision | Installation of additional stations at strategic sites |
| Device compatibility | Disparity of equipment capable of exploiting RTK corrections | Development of certifications and open standards |
| Security and privacy | Protection of sensitive patient and corporate data | Advanced encryption and specific regulation |
Beyond its industrial applications, next-generation GPS technology also disrupts daily life and social dynamics. Ultra-precise navigation supports the emergence of new connected services, changes mobility behaviors, and opens unprecedented possibilities in smart mobility.
In metropolitan areas, it enables smoother public transportation management and better automotive traffic flow, thus reducing congestion and pollution. Outdoor sports enthusiasts benefit from tracking and mapping tools of new finesse, allowing, for example, the identification of trails or paths in natural settings with exceptional accuracy.
Social consequences and evolutions of daily uses
- Development of transparent and reliable mobile applications
- Better safety for road users and pedestrians
- Access to augmented reality experiences requiring precise positioning
- Emergence of virtual communities based on exact location
This GPS revolution contributes to a more connected and better-organized world, where geolocation is a tool serving quality of life. The partnership between Orange, Totem, and Point One is thus a driver of both technological and social innovation.
| Social aspect | Practical effect | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Urban mobility | Reduction of travel times and traffic jams | Optimization of buses and trams in large cities |
| Road safety | Precise alerts to users | Applications integrated into smartphones |
| Leisure and sports | Ultra-precise mapping in natural environments | Guided hikes with detailed GPS tools |
