Trimble Acquires Terasat Japan

Trimble has acquired Terasat Japan, one of Japan’s largest virtual reference station service providers, expanding its direct provision of real-time, centimetre-level positioning services in the country. The deal extends coverage for geospatial, construction, automotive and agriculture users across Japan. Terasat Japan’s network draws on more than 1,300 reference stations across the Japanese archipelago. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Expanded Coverage Across Japan

Terasat Japan provides Global Navigation Satellite System corrections using data from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan Continuously Operating Reference Stations network. Trimble said its full GNSS constellation tracking and built-in redundancy support availability and reliability in environments including steep terrain, heavy tree canopy and urban canyons.

Jacek Pietruczanis, director of strategic marketing, positioning services at Trimble, said:

“This is a major milestone in our global VRS network expansion. Acquiring an established leader like Terasat Japan allows us to bypass the challenges of building a new network from the ground up. It also grants us immediate, vital access to mandated GSI data streams for surveying and construction for delivering the highest level of GNSS correction data, optimizing the precise, high-quality positioning that is essential for complex surveying and construction tasks. It also allows us to expand into mass-market applications like IoT and autonomous driving in Japan.”

Precision Through VRS Technology

Trimble VRS is a real-time network RTK correction service that provides positioning professionals with high-precision GNSS data through a cellular connection. It uses a fixed GSI CORS network and proprietary software to deliver sub-centimetre to centimetre-level accuracy, typically 2 cm horizontal and 3 cm vertical, without users needing to establish, secure or maintain their own physical base stations.

Full GNSS constellation tracking is intended to support robust connectivity and rapid convergence times in physical environments such as tree canopy and urban centres. Trimble VRS networks are available across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Continuity For Terasat Customers

Terasat Japan’s network has long used Trimble’s Pivot system to provide GNSS corrections to its customer base. The acquisition builds on that established technical connection while maintaining service for the company’s core industries.

Mauro Fujii, CEO of Terasat Japan, said:

“Terasat's network has long relied on Trimble's Pivot system to deliver high-quality GNSS correction to our extensive customer base, making this a seamless transition. We look forward to leveraging Trimble's global resources to continue serving our core industries, while expanding into new frontiers.”

Japanese VRS Network Expansion

The acquisition gives Trimble a direct VRS correction service in Japan, underpinned by Terasat Japan’s established network and access to GSI data streams. It also supports the company’s stated ambitions in applications including IoT and autonomous driving in the Japanese market.