GPS has made a major impact on our world. How is it a free service that anyone with a phone can access? How is it profitable for companies to offer services like navigation without subscription fees or ads?
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GPS is not free. it cost [about $12 billion to put it up in the first place, and costs about $2 million per day to maintain](https://nation.time.com/2012/05/21/how-much-does-gps-cost/).
it was created by the US department of defense for military use, but after [korean air lines flight 007 got lost, accidentally flew into the soviet union, and was shot down](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007), the [reagan administration decided](https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/statement-deputy-press-secretary-speakes-soviet-attack-korean-civilian-airliner-1) there were good reasons to let civilians use it too.
it’s become so important to everyone, so now the pentagon can always get more cash to upgrade it, since it’s a public benefit.
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