OS MRN is available in two formats:
Protocolbuffer Binary Format (PBF)
GeoPackage (GPKG)
PBF is an open source transfer format for vector GIS data created by the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community. PBF is an alternative to the original OSM XML format. PBF files are generally much smaller than OSM XML files and are faster to read and write.
GeoPackage is an open standard data format as defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). GeoPackage is designed to be a lightweight format that can contain large amounts of varied and complex data in a single, easy-to-distribute and ready-to-use file.
OS MRN is available as an online download from the OS Data Hub. You can select a data format (PBF or GeoPackage) during the download process.
It is available as a Full Supply only, and customers can order full Great Britain (GB) coverage or a customisable area of interest (AOI).
OS MRN is updated monthly, in-line with updates of OS transport network data.
OS MRN covers Great Britain.
For general guidance on using the product in GeoPackage format, please see the Getting started with GeoPackage guide.
GeoPackage offers users the following benefits:
The single file is easy to transfer and offers the end-user a rich experience.
Attribute names are not limited in length, making the format user-friendly.
The file size limit is very large at 140 TB (a file size limit might be imposed by the file system to which the file is written).
It supports raster, vector and database formats, making it a highly versatile solution.
It is an OGC standard.
In most cases, it is a plug-and-play format.