Businesses, farmers and first responders across Australia and New Zealand will reap the benefits from greater satellite positioning accuracy with the award of an AUD$1.18 billion, 19-year contract to bring the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN) to life.

With the contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia, SouthPAN partners Geoscience Australia and Toitū te Whenua (Land Information New Zealand) have taken a significant step towards the launch of the Southern Hemisphere’s first satellite navigation augmentation service. SouthPAN services will improve positioning from current GPS services with an accuracy of between 5 to 10 metres to as little as 10 centimetres.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said SouthPAN is a major commitment between the Australian and New Zealand governments to provide essential satellite positioning services across Australasia.

“SouthPAN will provide instant, accurate and reliable positioning to users across all of Australia and New Zealand’s land and maritime zones without the need for a mobile phone signal or internet,” Minister King said.

Geoscience Australia signed the contract with Lockheed Martin Australia earlier this week to provide the service. The SouthPAN system will deliver early Open Services in the coming weeks.

More information:

• Minister King’s media release here
• SouthPAN webpage

Satellite dishes located in Uralla just outside Armidale