A-GNSS with next-gen AssistNow: simpler, smarter, faster

For many GNSS-enabled devices, the moment they’re powered on is the moment they’re needed most. But obtaining a GNSS position is a power-hungry and time-consuming process that involves detecting signals from orbiting GNSS satellites, downloading the almanac of their constellation, and each individual satellite’s ephemeris data (its position and trajectory over time), which are transmitted via the GNSS signal at low bitrates. Not only does this process take time, but it also drains battery life, making it a critical bottleneck for power-sensitive, performance-critical applications.

When a device starts from a cold state (in which the GNSS receiver does not have valid ephemeris data stored in memory), establishing an accurate position takes around 30 seconds in perfect conditions. In the real world, for instance with small and integrated antennas or in urban environments with limited sky visibility, it can take considerably longer or fail altogether.

Overcome GNSS cold start delays with Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS)

A-GNSS technology speeds up the signal acquisition process and shortens the time needed to achieve a first position fix by retrieving satellite data, accurate time, and satellite status using a faster data connection – typically cellular networks or the internet. With A-GNSS, GNSS receivers can determine their position in seconds, even under poor signal conditions.

It is particularly helpful for:

• IoT devices with integrated antennas and limited sky view
• Battery-powered  devices where energy efficiency drives business sustainability
• Devices that travel through difficult GNSS conditions and that must instantly reacquire position after a coverage gap.    

Introducing the new AssistNow Live Orbits and Predictive Orbits

u-blox has just announced the next generation of our AssistNow assisted GNSS services: AssistNow Live Orbits and Predictive Orbits.  Not only are they simpler to use than ever and future proof, users can choose the level of assistance that best suits their needs:

• AssistNow Predictive Orbits: Improves your time to position fix and power efficiency in challenging IoT environments. Free to use on all u-blox Gen9 and Gen10 GNSS receivers.
• AssistNow Live Orbits: Maximizes your time to position fix, accuracy, and power efficiency in the most challenging IoT environments. It provides premium, real-time GNSS assistance data for u-blox Gen9 and Gen10 GNSS receivers.

AssistNow Just Got Easier: Free version, Premium Upgrade, Plug-and-Play, & More

New pricing models put you in control

With the introduction of our new freemium model, gaining access to AssistNow services has never been simpler. Start using the powerful AssistNow Predictive Orbits aiding option immediately, available free of charge with all Gen9 and Gen10 u-blox GNSS receivers. For more advanced needs, AssistNow Live Orbits is available through pay-as-you-go pricing or included with select GNSS hardware bundles, for example the NEO-M9V.

Whether you prefer flexible, usage-based payments or a one-time payment for long-term use, AssistNow adapts to your business model — ensuring predictable, transparent pricing with no unnecessary complexity.

u-blox AssistNow: A proven track record

u-blox has been at the forefront of GNSS aiding services for over two decades, underpinned by years of research and development. We have been on the forefront of developing technologies that harness GNSS signals to provide highly accurate and reliable location data. 

Since 2003, our continuous commitment to innovation has led to the refinement and expansion of  AssistNow services, supporting faster, more reliable positioning in challenging environments. In 2006, we launched AssistNow Online, which provided real-time assistance data via cellular connectivity to speed up satellite acquisition. In 2007, we introduced AssistNow Offline in 2007, offering up to 14 days of orbit prediction data to reduce time-to-first-fix, particularly beneficial for IoT applications. We continued to evolve AssistNow by expanding to support multiple satellite constellations. To improve efficiency, we minimized the bandwidth required for AssistNow Offline and in 2021, we transitioned to a serverless architecture to improve scalability and reliability. All this time, our mission has remained the same: make GNSS more robust, responsive and ready for real-world conditions.  

Simple Evaluation, Seamless Integration

Plug & Play

Evaluating AssistNow is now a seamless experience thanks to the plug-and-play mode in u-center 2 and an updated interface design¹. Developers can connect an evaluation kit to u-center 2, quickly validate functionality and assess performance – no need to do complex configuration or settings.

Fast integration

Moving from prototype to product is now faster than ever. The new AssistNow SDK, available free of charge to all customers² through the Thingstream service delivery platform, helps developers to effortlessly incorporate AssistNow into devices and applications, accelerating time to market while minimizing development overhead.

Future proof

The new service design, paired with upgradable u-blox GNSS receivers, gives users early access to emerging features — even in their beta stage — so they can quickly assess benefits and speed up development.

Notes

¹AssistNow SDK is available from Q3 2025
²The new u-center 2 release is available from June 14th