RTK corrections in South Africa
RTK Premium delivers network RTK corrections in South Africa over standard NTRIP. In a fixed solution it reaches under 1.5 cm horizontally and 2.5 cm vertically. 1 network serves most of South Africa, and the coverage map shows no network over much of the Northern Cape. A site on 1 network has no second network to fall back to if that network drops, so check each site on the map and run the 14-day free trial first.
RTK Premium in South Africa
| Coverage | The coverage map shows 1 network over most of South Africa's land area and no network over much of the Northern Cape; check your site on the coverage map |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Under 1.5 cm horizontal, 2.5 cm vertical, in a fixed solution |
| Service level | The 99.9% monthly service level for RTK Premium applies only in Eligible Areas, which need 2+ networks on the coverage map; South Africa is served by 1 network |
| Trial | 14 days on your own receiver; your account arrives by email within two working hours |
| Price | Priced per device and term. Request pricing |
| Support | Business days, 10:00 to midnight South African time while Europe keeps winter time and 09:00 to 23:00 while it keeps summer time (09:00 CET to 17:00 ET) |
| Stream | RTCM 3.x over NTRIP; caster rtkpremium.xyz, port 2101, mountpoint COMMON |
Check it before you commit
Setup guides
More than 100 step-by-step guides cover receivers, controllers, drones and machine control.
Test it yourself
RTKTEST.com compares up to three correction services against a surveyed point in one 15-minute session, and the 14-day trial runs on your own receiver at your own sites.
Correction services in South Africa
South African crews choose between the national mapping agency's reference station network, commercial network RTK, crowd-sourced base stations, satellite-delivered corrections and their own base.
| Type | Typical operator | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| National reference station network | The national mapping agency, with permanent reference stations that provide real-time and post-processed positioning data. | Distance to the nearest station, the terms of access, whether an availability commitment is published, and what support is offered. |
| Commercial network RTK | A private provider with stations across the country. | How many correction sources serve your area, the published service level and its remedy, the term, and whether a trial is offered. |
| Crowd-sourced network | Independent owners hosting single base stations. | Distance to the nearest base, station uptime, and how each base was surveyed. |
| Satellite or state-space (PPP-RTK, SSR) | A provider broadcasting an error model without a local base. | Convergence time, accuracy and vertical performance. |
| Your own base | Your crew, on a surveyed point. | The survey of the base point, range, and the time spent setting it up and guarding it. |
Setup
- Start the 14-day free trial on this site, or order a subscription. Your account arrives by email within two working hours.
- Enter the caster rtkpremium.xyz, port 2101 and mountpoint COMMON in your controller or receiver, with the username and password from your account.
- Measure a control point you trust before the job starts, and compare the result with its published coordinates in your project's frame.
Industries using precise positioning or RTK corrections in South Africa
Farms: South Africa's commercial agriculture census counted 40,122 farms or farming units in 2017, and the Free State had the most, with 7,951. Planting, spraying and harvest guidance on those farms need a correction that holds from pass to pass. (Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Census of Commercial Agriculture 2017, 2017)
Horticulture: Horticulture's share of commercial farm income in South Africa rose from 17.4% in 2007 to 19.8% in 2017, and Western Cape farms earned the most of any province, R64.3 billion. Orchard blocks, vineyards and irrigation lines are set out from surveyed points. (Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Census of Commercial Agriculture 2017, 2017)
Mining: South Africa's mining industry had an income of R906.7 billion in 2022, and platinum group metal ore brought in 41.2% of it, ahead of coal and lignite at 21.9%. Open-pit benches, haul roads and stockpile volumes are surveyed against the mine plan. (Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Mining industry, Report No. 20-01-02 (2022), 2022)
Construction: South Africa's construction industry had an income of R605.6 billion in 2024, and civil engineering structures made up 31.1% of that income. Earthworks, roads and foundations on those projects are staked and checked against design. (Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Construction industry, Report No. 50-02-01 (2024), 2024)
Questions about RTK in South Africa
Which RTK correction service serves South Africa?
RTK Premium serves most of South Africa with network RTK on 1 network, and the coverage map shows no network over much of the Northern Cape. A site on 1 network has no second network to fall back to, so check your sites on the map.
Is there a free RTK network in South Africa?
The national mapping agency runs permanent reference stations that provide real-time and post-processed data, and community networks host free single base stations of varying quality. Check the distance to the nearest station and what each source commits to on availability and support.
What happens if the network drops at my site?
South Africa is served by 1 network, so a site has no second network to fall back to, and the receiver loses its RTK correction until the network returns. Keep your own base or another source ready for work that cannot wait.
How much does RTK cost in South Africa?
Prices depend on the number of devices, the term and the product, and we quote them after a short call. The 14-day trial needs no payment.
Do I need my own base station?
Not where the map shows a network. Network RTK builds the correction for your position from the surrounding stations, so there is no base to set up, survey or guard.
How accurate is RTK in South Africa?
In a fixed solution under good conditions, RTK Premium reaches under 1.5 cm horizontally and 2.5 cm vertically.
Can I try it before I buy?
Yes. The 14-day free trial runs on your own receiver and needs no payment.
Last updated: 12 November 2026
Try RTK Premium in South Africa
Run the 14-day trial at your own South African sites, on your own receiver, before you commit to a plan.
