this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2025
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FCC chair says we’re too dependent on GPS and wants to explore ‘alternatives’. (www.fcc.gov)
submitted 2 days ago by Tea@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] echodot@feddit.uk 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They're already are multiple alternatives to GPS. GPS is the American navigation system, but there's also GNSS which is mostly used in Europe and Scandinavia. There are other systems for other parts of the world, even the North and South pole now.

Everyone just uses GPS universally though.

[–] Patch@feddit.uk 10 points 1 day ago (2 children)

there's also GNSS which is mostly used in Europe and Scandinavia

GNSS is the generic term that covers all satellite navigation systems (GPS included).

Galileo is the EU/ESA system you're thinking of.

GLONASS (Russian) and BeiDou (Chinese) are the other two major constellations with global coverage. The only other full system I know of is NavIC, which is Indian and has only regional coverage.

Most devices actually connect to all of them. I've just checked my phone, and it's connected to all of GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou. People just say "GPS" because it's catchier than "GNSS".

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

I kinda like the British word "satnav".

[–] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Is constellation the actual term for a set of satellites now?