Trimble to Acquire OmniSTAR Land-based

Trimble and Fugro also entered into a multi-year service agreement which includes Fugro's ongoing operation of its correction network and satellite service broadcast systems that power the OmniSTAR service. Closing of the transaction, anticipated in the first quarter, is subject to certain closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

OmniSTAR provides space-based GNSS correction services that can improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver for precise positioning applications. Currently, there are four levels of OmniSTAR service: "VBS" offering sub-meter positioning, "XP" delivering better than 20 centimetre accuracy and "HP" delivering greater than 10 centimetre accuracy. In addition, the new OmniSTAR "G2" service combines GPS plus GLONASS based corrections to provide decimetre level positioning.

Trimble pioneered RTK technology in the early 1990s, which enabled high-accuracy corrections for field applications. RTK is now recognised as the industry-leading technology for centimetre-level positioning. To further improve accuracy Trimble subsequently introduced VRS technology in 2000 and shortly after that, Trimble VRS Now Service.

"With the addition of the OmniSTAR services and our strong relationship with Fugro, we will offer a full range of high-precision positioning capabilities which now includes satellite-delivered corrections," said Patricia Boothe, general manager of Trimble's newly-formed Positioning Services Division. "Today, our agriculture customers use OmniSTAR services to perform planting, harvesting, variable rate application and many other operations. Our expanded portfolio will provide not only farmers, but also surveying, construction and GIS professionals with more options to satisfy their particular accuracy, delivery and financial needs."

"Trimble and OmniSTAR have enjoyed a long standing relationship," said John Waits, president of OmniSTAR. "The transfer of land-based GNSS signal corrections assets marks the next phase of our efforts to bring a broader range of positioning services to our combined customer base, on land and offshore. The OmniSTAR and Fugro teams remain committed to providing industry leading corrections services for customers who own a variety of GNSS receivers."

This is an interesting development and would very much cheer if the services could be installed and sustained in east Africa to speed up land tenure matters where outstanding. Kombo Mwero - 26/03/2011 - 13:14