MC Explains: What is NavIC and will it ever replace GPS in India

The first NavIC satellite was launched in 2013 by Indian Space Research Organisation

A few days back, the Indian government announced its plan to mandate NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) support for all mobile devices by 2025.

According to Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, all 5G phones should support NavIC by January 1, 2025, and all other phones by December 2025.

NavIC, like the US Global Positioning System (GPS), is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Also read: iPhone 15 will support ISRO's NavIC GPS system

But where is it used, and what is its coverage? We take a look at this here.

What is NavIC?

NavIC, the regional satellite navigation system developed by ISRO, became fully operational in April 2018, with the launch of the seventh satellite in the constellation. The development of the navigation system began in July 2013, which was when its first satellite, IRNSS-1A, was launched.

What is NavIC’s coverage?

The seven-satellite constellation primarily covers India and the surrounding region, extending 1,500 km beyond the country's borders. Its primary coverage area includes India, the entire Indian Ocean region, parts of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Where is NavIC being used?

According to ISRO, NavIC offers two services: standard position service (SPS) for civilian users, and restricted service (RS) for strategic users.

Some of the uses of NavIC include:

· Transportation (terrestrial, aerial, and marine)
· Location-based services
· Personal mobility
· Resource monitoring
· Surveying and geodesy
· Scientific research
· Time dissemination and synchronisation
· Safety-of-life alert dissemination

What are the other major navigation systems worldwide?

Apart from NavIC, other popular navigation systems include the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the European Union's Galileo, China's BeiDou, and Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).

Where does NavIC stand compared to other major navigation systems worldwide?

In terms of the number of satellites in the constellation, while NavIC has seven,

· GPS has 31 operational satellites
· Russia’s GLONASS has 24
· Beidou has 44
· Japan’s QZSS has four

In terms of coverage, while NavIC only covers India and surrounding areas, GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou provide worldwide coverage. QZSS covers Japan and the Asia Pacific.

Is NavIC better than GPS when it comes to coverage of India and surrounding areas?

NavIC offers a positioning accuracy of 3 metres, depending on the signal strength and availability of satellites, ISRO chairman S Somanath told Wion. GPS, on the other hand, has an accuracy of 5 metres. Also, while NavIC is available in two frequencies (S and L band), GPS is only available in L-band.

What is ISRO doing to improve NavIC?

ISRO is planning to launch more satellites in the NavIC constellation, and it also has plans to make its coverage global.