What is GEODNET?
GEODNET — short for Global Earth Observation Decentralized Network — is a worldwide network of GNSS reference stations that continuously receive satellite signals and stream correction data over the internet. Any RTK receiver with an internet connection can tap into this data to achieve centimetre-level positioning accuracy without needing its own base station.
Unlike traditional government-run networks (such as the US CORS network or the European EUREF network), GEODNET is built and operated by a community of individual station owners distributed across the globe. This model allows rapid expansion and dense coverage at a fraction of the cost of conventional infrastructure.
5,000+
Active reference stations worldwide
100+
Countries with coverage
<2 cm
Horizontal accuracy at Fix
99.9%
Network uptime SLA
How the network delivers corrections
RTK corrections flow from satellite to your rover through a chain of components. Here is how each step works inside the GEODNET system:
Satellites transmit signals
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and other constellations broadcast ranging signals continuously. Every receiver on Earth — reference stations and rovers alike — picks up the same signals.
Reference stations record observations
GEODNET reference stations are fixed GNSS receivers with precisely surveyed positions. They record every satellite signal and measure the difference between the received signal and what the signal should look like at their known position. This difference is the correction data.
Corrections are streamed to the GEODNET server
Each reference station sends its raw GNSS observations to the GEODNET cloud infrastructure in real time over a standard internet connection. The data is formatted as RTCM3 messages — the universal standard for RTK correction data.
The network computes and distributes corrections
GEODNET's processing software combines data from multiple nearby stations to generate high-quality corrections, including VRS (Virtual Reference Station) data that eliminates the effect of baseline distance. The corrections are distributed via an NTRIP caster — a standard internet streaming protocol for RTK data.
Your rover connects and achieves Fix
Your RTK device connects to the NTRIP caster, authenticates with your service credentials, and receives a continuous stream of corrections matched to your location. The receiver combines these with its own satellite observations to resolve carrier phase ambiguities and achieve centimetre-accurate RTK Fix — typically within 10–60 seconds.
What RTCM3 means for you
RTCM3 is the correction data format used by virtually every modern RTK receiver. If your device supports NTRIP, it supports RTCM3 — which means it works with GEODNET-based correction services without any special configuration.
Network scale and coverage
GEODNET has grown faster than any previous GNSS reference network. Coverage is particularly dense in North America, Europe, East Asia and Australia, with rapid expansion across South America, Africa and the Middle East.
| Region | Coverage | Station density |
|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | Excellent | Stations typically 20–50 km apart |
| Netherlands | Excellent | Among the densest coverage in Europe |
| North America | Excellent | Dense in urban and agricultural areas |
| East Asia | Very good | Strong in Japan, South Korea, China |
| Australia | Good | Urban and coastal areas well-covered |
| South America | Growing | Major cities and agricultural zones |
| Africa / Middle East | Growing | Expanding rapidly |
What makes it decentralized?
Traditional CORS networks are built and operated by governments or large organisations. They require significant capital investment, lengthy planning processes and centralised maintenance teams. GEODNET takes a different approach.
Individual station owners — surveyors, farmers, technology enthusiasts and businesses — purchase reference station hardware and install it at their location. The station connects to the internet and streams data to the GEODNET network automatically. Station owners receive compensation for their contribution, creating an economic incentive that drives rapid network expansion.
Why this matters for coverage
Because anyone can add a station, GEODNET expands into areas where government networks have not reached. A farmer in rural Poland or a surveyor in rural Brazil can install a station and simultaneously improve local coverage while contributing to the global network.
GEODNET vs traditional CORS networks
Traditional CORS network
GEODNET
Network ownership
Government-controlled, slow to expand.
Community-owned, expands rapidly.
Coverage
Often free but limited coverage; sparse in rural and developing regions.
Global coverage including rural areas.
Correction model
Long track record and often integrated into official surveying workflows.
VRS and multi-station corrections built in.
Access
Often available through public or official services.
Accessed through subscription services, but works with any NTRIP-compatible device.
How RTKsub uses GEODNET
RTKsub is a correction service built on GEODNET infrastructure. When you connect your device to RTKsub's NTRIP server, you are receiving corrections derived from GEODNET reference stations — the same global network, delivered through RTKsub's connection management, mountpoint selection and customer support.
Netherlands and Europe
RTKsub's primary focus, with excellent GEODNET station density across the Netherlands and surrounding countries.
Worldwide
Because GEODNET is a global network, RTKsub can provide corrections wherever GEODNET has coverage — making it useful for international projects and travelling surveyors.
Multiple mountpoints
RTKsub exposes different RTCM3 mountpoints optimised for different devices: MSM4 for most receivers, MSM5 for DJI drones, VRS for long-baseline situations, and MSM7 for high-end professional equipment.
One subscription, global coverage
A single RTKsub subscription gives you access to GEODNET corrections wherever coverage exists — not just in the Netherlands. If you work internationally, your credentials work in any country where GEODNET has stations.
