Time dissemination services

METAS is responsible for the dissemination of the official time in Switzerland. To this end, it operates a number of time dissemination services which allow to synchronise individual clocks with internationally recognised timescales. In addition to the free services listed below the time and frequency laboratory can also offer more specific solutions to cover special needs.

Timecode transmitter HBG

The longwave transmitter with codename HBG broadcasts time codes at a carrier frequency of 75 kHz. In addition to the markers sent every second HBG transmitts coded information on the time of day and the day. The carrier frequency is derived from an atomic clock and can be used as frequency reference. The emitter will cease its operation be the end of 2011. [»...]

Network Time Protocol (NTP) Stratum 1 Server

The Network-Time-Protocol (NTP) allows to synchronise clocks in computers over the Internet with a time server located at METAS and steered directly from an atomic clock. This service can be used free of charge. [»...]