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Out of all the programmes and applications available on your smartphone, GNSS continues to be the main source of location information outdoors. According to the report, 70% of all mobile phones worldwide will have GNSS capability by 2020, with other consumer devices set to follow. â©
While smartphones and tablets are the main devices supporting GNSS, many other devices, including digital cameras, portable computers, tracking devices and fitness gear, also take advantage of GNSS applications. As a navigation application, GNSS positioning supports both pedestrian and road navigation, with route planning and turn-by-turn instructions, as well as enabling smartphone users to become map creators. â©
Companies can also improve productivity by using GNSS mobile workforce management and tracking solutions. As a geo marketing and advertising tool, GNSS combines consumer preferences and positioning data to provide personalised offers to potential customers and create market opportunities for retailers. â©
GNSS, in combination with network-based methods, is a strong safety and emergency tool as it can provide accurate emergency caller location. When integrated with entertainment devices, GNSS enables performance monitoring for sport applications, positioning and virtual information for gaming and augmented reality apps, and friend locators and shared information for social networking sites. â©
A trend towards multi-constellationâ©
Multi-constellation GNSS chipsets are implemented in high-end devices. In 2014, there were 3.1 billion GNSS enabled handsets and there will be an estimated 5.2 billion in 2017. The proliferation of wearable devices will further accelerate this trend. It is expected that more than 14 million unit shipments of these devices will occur by 2023.â©
More than 60% of all available receivers now support, at minimum, two constellations, with Galileo support present in almost 40% of receivers. More than 20% support all four constellations â showing that multi-constellation is fast becoming a standard feature in GNSS user equipment. â©
An addiction to appsâ©
Creating jobsâ©
European players in the location-based services market are strong in applications development. In 2013, the European âApp Economyâ generated â¬17.5 billion in revenue and employed 1.8 million people. By 2018, it is forecaste to contribute â¬63 billion to the EU economy and employ 4.8 million people. â©
In addition, EU policy measures on roaming tariffs are fostering the usage of smartphones and apps beyond national borders. Price reductions of more than 80% since 2007 resulted in a 630% increase in the roaming market.â©
An unprecedented opportunityâ©
GNSS presents an unprecedented business opportunity for Europeâ©
Donna Reay is head of communications and Cristina Comunian is market communications officer at the European GNSS Agency (www.gsa.europa.eu)
