Positioning Service swipos
General Terms and Conditions (GTC) for the Purchase and Use of swipos Services
0 Terminology
Terminology used in this document:
- swisstopo: Federal Office of Topography. swisstopo is the provider of the swipos service.
- Order: Corresponds to the «Agreement» in accordance with Article 12, paragraph 1b, Federal Geoinformation Act (SR 510.62).
- Licensee: Private client or company with whom a swipos business relationship exists.
1 Principles
These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) shall form an integral part of each order.
When submitting an order, the licensee accepts all the general terms and conditions of the swipos services. The business relationship between the licensee and swisstopo shall commence upon the submission of the initial order.
2 Access and scope of application
The order entitles the licensee to access the swipos services cited therein and to use them in accordance with the corresponding licence type.
Any attempt on the part of the licensee to access the swipos data beyond the scope permitted by the granted licence shall be deemed an unlawful act.
3 Restrictions on use of products
swipos-GIS/GEO: May only be used as a reference station for RTK positioning and for access corresponding RINEX data. The correction data may only be used for the simultaneous operation of one (1) end device.
swipos-INFRA: May be used for all types of services unless explicitly prohibited. The following restrictions apply:
- A maximum of five licences may be obtained.
- Access may not be transferred to third parties.
- The redistribution of the original raw data (1:1 transfer) is prohibited.
- The following restriction also applies for positioning services:
May not be used for differential positioning services within Switzerland (e.g. generation of virtual reference station).
4 Use of the swipos services
There are several types of licence that authorise the corresponding use of the swipos services by licensees (cf. following table):
- Commercial licence
- School licence
- Research and development licence
- Trial licence
- Demonstration licence
The licensee shall be entitled to use the following swipos services in accordance with the procured licence:
- 1) For the development of products and services, limited to 3 months or project duration.
- 2) Maximum duration 2 weeks.
Any use by the licensee that extends beyond the specified scope shall be deemed an unlawful act. For any other uses whatsoever, the licensee must request the consent of swisstopo.
5 Fair Use
A flat rate licence shall entitle the licensee to reasonable utilisation of the RINEX data (principle of fair use). In the event of excessive use of the data by the licensee, swisstopo may take appropriate measures.
6 Fees
The licensee undertakes to pay all applicable licence fees. The licence fees shall be based on the Ordinance of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport on fees and charges of the Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo fees and charges ordinance / SR 510.620.2). The billing period is a full calendar year. Licence fees are charged at the beginning of each billing period.
7 Term and termination
The licences are valid for one year from the date of order. Unless the licensee terminates the licence, it will be automatically renewed for a further year.
Termination of a licence must be notified to swisstopo in writing. The period of notice is 30 days. The licensee shall be responsible for providing evidence of notification within the specified period
In the event of breach of contract or unlawful behaviour on the part of the licensee, swisstopo may terminate the agreement with immediate effect. In this case, the licensee shall not be entitled to a refund of any fees that have already been paid.
8 Transfer of swipos data
Data transfer is carried out via the means specified by the licensee and shall not form an integral part of the swipos services.
9 Operating provisions
swipos is operated as a best effort service. The service runs around the clock, the service hours and the swipos hotline correspond to swisstopo's opening hours.
No guarantee can be given for the uninterrupted and trouble-free functioning of the swipos services.
10 Data protection provisions
All data transferred by the licensee to swisstopo in connection with the order for a swipos licence shall only be used by swisstopo for information and administration purposes relating to the procured swipos services. swisstopo shall not pass on such data to other internal units or third parties.
11 Validity of these general terms and conditions
swisstopo reserves the right to amend these general terms and conditions where necessary. swisstopo shall inform the licensee of a swipos service about any such amendments in a suitable form and without delay.
In the event of any contradictions between the various language versions of these general terms and conditions, the German version shall be binding.
12 Applicable law, place of jurisdiction
The business relationship shall be solely subject to Swiss law, in particular the provisions of federal law governing geoinformation and fees. Insofar as federal administrative law does not contain applicable clauses, the corresponding provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations shall apply, especially those governing general contractual law.
Place of jurisdiction is Bern, Switzerland.
Wabern, August 2025.
Seftigenstrasse 264
3084 Wabern