Photo: Trimble

Trimble has acquired Cansel Survey Equipment’s Can-Net and AllTerra New Zealand’s iBase networks. The acquisitions significantly increase the global footprint of Trimble-owned Virtual Reference Station (VRS) networks by adding key geographies in North America and New Zealand.

Subscription-based VRS correction services are now accessible to more customers around the world who rely on high-accuracy corrections to increase productivity and reduce operational costs. The correction services are designed for professionals in agriculture, geospatial and construction as well as emerging high-accuracy applications, such as on-road positioning for passenger vehicles. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Can-Net and iBase acquisitions add over 1.1 million square kilometers (over 425,000 square miles) to Trimble’s correction services coverage that has grown robustly over the past eight years, contributing to Trimble’s shift toward software, services and subscription business emphasis.

Can-Net Network. The Can-Net network comprises multiple VRS networks and single-base solutions offering GNSS corrections across Canada. The acquisition provides Trimble with the largest VRS footprint in Canada, covering more than one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles).

Subscribers primarily work in the agriculture, survey and construction industries. In addition, the Can-Net network enables Trimble corrections technology to be used by automotive stakeholders deploying ADAS systems along the Trans-Canadian Highway.

iBase Network. The iBase network expands Trimble’s VRS footprint across both the north and south islands of New Zealand, totaling more than 100,000 square kilometers (39,000 square miles).

“The high-accuracy precision provided by VRS technology is a powerful tool in driving operational and financial efficiency for industries that require easy access to positioning services,” said Patricia Boothe, vice president of Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division. “We are aggressively expanding the accessibility of VRS corrections around the globe. Our vision is to make high-accuracy positioning available to the broadest base of commercial users worldwide for applications in agriculture, construction, automotive, autonomy and others where precise positioning is a critical part of the solution. Trimble will continue to invest in technology and infrastructure to push the boundaries of performance and accessibility for our portfolio of services.”

Trimble networks are supported by a global network operations team made up of GNSS system engineers, geodesy experts and IT professionals. The team monitors the networks 24/7 from operation centers located on three continents, ensuring consistent and reliable service uptime and performance integrity.