International GNSS Service (IGS)

What International GNSS Service (IGS) does

The International GNSS Service (IGS) is a non-profit international scientific service organization established in 1994 under the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) to enable the highest-accuracy usability of openly available Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data and products. It operates a global network of more than 500 continuously operating geodetic-grade GNSS tracking stations operated by roughly 200 participating agencies, with the IGS Central Bureau (7 employees) hosted at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Data and products are provided free of charge as a public good.

IGS combines submissions from more than ten independent analysis centers into official combined products spanning precise GNSS satellite orbits and clocks (Ultra-Rapid, Rapid, and Final tiers with ~2.5–5 cm accuracy), terrestrial frame solutions contributing to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) with ~2 mm horizontal and ~5 mm vertical accuracy, global ionospheric VTEC maps, tropospheric zenith path delays, differential code biases, and real-time corrections distributed via NTRIP under the IGS SSR v1.0 standard. Supporting infrastructure includes the Real-Time Service (RTS), the Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) covering BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC, and SBAS, the Site Log Manager 2.0 platform, and the IGS Network 2.0 visualization system.

The business model is that of a voluntary international consortium rather than a commercial enterprise: IGS generates no revenue, charges no fees, and is funded through in-kind contributions from participating agencies (NASA, BKG, CAS, CNES, GFZ, JPL, NRCan, etc.). Distribution is decentralized through global data centers (CDDIS, IGN, ESA, BKG) and regional mirrors, with access via file transfer, HTTPS, and NTRIP streams. The primary customers are the scientific research community, government geodetic agencies, atmospheric scientists, and a growing base of commercial GNSS users leveraging precise point positioning and real-time kinematic applications.

Name

International GNSS Service (IGS)

Legal name

International GNSS Service

Website

https://igs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International GNSS Service (IGS) is a non-profit scientific service operating a 500+ station global GNSS network, combining multi-constellation data into open-access precise orbits, clocks, ionosphere, and troposphere products for researchers, government geodetic agencies, and commercial GNSS users worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geodetic Data Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Primary Reference Time Sources (GNSS/GPS Disciplined Oscillators) (HDAFAKAA)

Keywords

• GNSS data services
• Geodetic reference frame
• Multi-GNSS tracking network
• Precise orbit products
• Global navigation satellites

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Open Access Data Products: The IGS provides all GNSS data and products freely and openly to the public at no cost. There is no commercial revenue generation. The organization operates as a voluntary international service under the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) and is funded by participating agencies and organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The International GNSS Service (IGS) operates a global infrastructure of 500+ continuously operating GNSS ground tracking stations that collect multi-constellation observation data (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC, SBAS), which it processes through a federation of analysis centers into high-precision products including precise satellite orbits and clocks, terrestrial reference frame solutions, global ionosphere and troposphere maps, and differential code biases. These products are delivered openly at no cost in multiple latency tiers (ultra-rapid, rapid, final) plus a real-time service, distributed through global/regional data centers (CDDIS, IGN, ESA/GSSC, BKG) and NTRIP streaming protocols.

Product overview

The International GNSS Service (IGS) operates a global infrastructure providing openly accessible, high-precision GNSS data and derived products. The core offering centers on a worldwide network of 500+ continuously operating reference stations that collect multi-GNSS observation data, which IGS processes into precise orbit and clock products, terrestrial frame solutions, atmospheric products (ionosphere and troposphere), and differential code biases. Products are delivered in three latency tiers: Ultra-Rapid (real-time, every 6 hours), Rapid (daily), and Final (highest quality, 12-19 days). Supporting infrastructure includes the Real-Time Service (RTS) for streaming corrections via NTRIP, the Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) for emerging constellations, Site Log Manager 2.0 for station metadata, and Network 2.0 for visualization—all built on open data formats (RINEX, SP3, SINEX, IONEX) and standards (RTCM SSR, IGS SSR).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX): Pilot project set up by IGS to track, collate and analyze all available GNSS signals including BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NAVIC, as well as modernized GPS and GLONASS satellites.
• Real-Time Service (RTS)
• Site Log Manager 2.0

Products and services

• IGS Network Global network of 500+ GNSS ground tracking stations operated by diverse organizations. Stations provide continuous multi-GNSS tracking using high-accuracy geodetic receivers and transmit data to IGS data centers.
• Precise Orbit and Clock Products Combined GNSS satellite orbit and satellite/station clock solutions. Available in Ultra-Rapid (real-time), Rapid (17-41 hours), and Final (12-19 days) tiers with accuracies of ~5 cm, ~2.5 cm, and ~2.5 cm respectively.
• Terrestrial Frame Products Daily and weekly combined station positions and Earth rotation parameters (ERPs) in SINEX format. Contributes to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). Horizontal accuracy of 2 mm and vertical of 5 mm for daily positions.
• Ionosphere Products Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM) providing Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) grids. Available as Final (~11 days latency) and Rapid (<24 hours) solutions with 2-8 TECU accuracy. Includes ROTI fluctuation maps for the Northern hemisphere using ~700 stations.
• Troposphere Products Zenith Path Delay (ZPD) estimates and north/east gradient components for 350+ GNSS stations at five-minute resolution. Enables precipitable water vapor extraction when combined with surface pressure and temperature data. Final ZPD accuracy: 4 mm.
• Differential Code Bias (DCB) Products Systematic biases between GNSS code observations in Bias-SINEX (BSX) format. Required for code-based positioning, ionospheric TEC extraction, and time transfer. Multi-GNSS DCB products provided by CAS (daily) and DLR (3-monthly).
• Earth Rotation Products Polar motion (PM), PM rates, and Length-of-Day (LOD) parameters. Available in Ultra-Rapid, Rapid, and Final tiers with accuracies ranging from ~200 μas to ~30 μas for PM.
• Geocentric Coordinates Station positions and velocities for IGS tracking stations in SINEX format. Used for crustal deformation monitoring, sea level studies, and reference frame realization.
• Broadcast Ephemeris GNSS satellite broadcast orbit and clock data in RINEX format. Available in RINEX 2 (merged GPS/GLONASS) and RINEX 3 (multi-GNSS) formats for real-time and post-processed applications.
• GLONASS Satellite Ephemerides Dedicated GLONASS orbit products in SP3 format. Final products available with ~3 cm accuracy and 12-19 day latency.
• Real-Time Service (RTS) Real-time GNSS products including orbit and clock corrections, code and phase biases in IGS-SSR or RTCM-SSR format. Enables Precise Point Positioning (PPP) and disaster monitoring at worldwide scales. Supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. Distributed via NTRIP casters (BKG, CAS, CDDIS, Geoscience Australia).
• Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) Pilot project tracking, collating, and analyzing signals from BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NAVIC, modernized GPS, GLONASS, and SBAS. Generates precise ephemeris and bias data for emerging and operational GNSS constellations.
• Site Log Manager 2.0 (SLM 2.0) Web-based software system for station operators to manage metadata across GNSS ground sites. Features validation, GeodesyML support, 3D map visualization, and open source MIT license.
• IGS Network 2.0 Interactive visualization system for IGS network stations. Features Mapbox-based map with vector tiles, customizable station tables, filtering by geographic and metadata parameters, and state saving capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Orbit accuracies: Broadcast ~100cm, Ultra-Rapid (predicted) ~5cm, Ultra-Rapid (observed) ~3cm, Rapid/Final ~2.5cm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• International Association of Geodesy (IAG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994IGS is a service of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), operating under its governance structure and aligned with IAG's scientific objectives.
• Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGS operates as a component of GGOS, the geodetic observing system within IAG that provides the geodetic infrastructure needed for Earth science and society.
• International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGS is affiliated with IUGG, the umbrella organization for geodesy and geophysics.
• International Science Council - World Data System (WDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGS is a network member of the ISC World Data System, ensuring data preservation and open access standards.
• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJPL hosts the IGS Central Bureau and provides infrastructure support for the organization.
• NASA CDDIS (Crustal Dynamics Data Information System)coreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary global data center archiving and distributing IGS GNSS data and products.
• German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG)coreTechnology or IntegrationServes as the Real-Time Analysis Center Coordinator (RTACC) and generates multi-GNSS combination solutions for the Real-Time Service.
• Analysis Centers (APM, CAS, CHC, CNES, GFZ, GMV, JPL, NRCan, SHAO, UPC, WHU)coreTechnology or IntegrationMultiple analysis centers submit GNSS satellite orbit and clock solutions to the global data centers for combination into official IGS products.
• UNAVCOcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor organization supporting GNSS station operations and data management for the IGS network.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides real-time ionospheric VTEC products and multi-GNSS analysis contributions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS): Another IAG/GGOS sister service that coordinates a global network of satellite laser ranging stations to produce geodetic products. Closely analogous consortium structure, product types (station positions, EOP), and open-access distribution.
• International DORIS Service (IDS): IAG/GGOS sister service for the Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) system. Shares the IGS model of distributed stations, analysis center combination, and open scientific product delivery.
• International VLBI Service (IVS): Sister service of the IGS under the IAG/GGOS umbrella, applying the same voluntary, multi-agency consortium model to Very Long Baseline Interferometry for geodesy. Directly comparable in governance, open-data distribution, and scientific mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Trimble (Trimble CenterPoint RTX / RangePoint RTX): Commercial provider of GNSS correction services (RTX) delivering centimeter-level PPP globally. Comparable as a high-precision positioning service built on a global tracking network, but commercial and proprietary rather than open and consortium-based.
• NOAA National Geodetic Survey (NGS): U.S. national agency that operates the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network and contributes data to IGS. Comparable in producing GNSS-derived geodetic products and reference frames, but national rather than global in mandate.
• NovAtel (Hexagon) - TerraStar and Oceanix corrections: Commercial GNSS correction service from Hexagon/NovAtel providing PPP and PPP-RTK corrections. Comparable in delivering high-accuracy GNSS corrections, but proprietary and tied to NovAtel/OEM7 hardware ecosystems.

Regional players

• EUREF (International Association of Geodesy Reference Frame Sub-Commission for Europe): Regional realization of a GNSS-based reference frame for Europe using the same permanent GNSS station concept. Comparable in scientific mission and station-network architecture, but scoped to the European continent.

Others

• EarthScope Consortium (formerly UNAVCO): NSF-funded consortium that operates the Network of the Americas and supplies GNSS station data and metadata into IGS. Comparable in operating geodetic-quality GNSS infrastructure and supporting open scientific GNSS data products, primarily for North America.
• GFZ Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geosciences: Major contributing analysis center to IGS that also operates its own GNSS research infrastructure and products. Comparable in producing geodetic/atmospheric GNSS products but operates as a national research institute rather than a service organization.

Emerging players

• u-blox PointPerfect: Commercial PPP-RTK correction service targeted at mass-market automotive and IoT use cases via NTRIP/SSR streams. Comparable as a real-time GNSS correction provider but focused on commercial/mass-market verticals rather than open scientific geodesy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IGSCentralBureau
• GitHubgithub.com/International-GNSS-Service
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/igsorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International GNSS Service (IGS)