Missing OS layer

Question

Missing OS layer

John Cookson 5

If I understand correctly, as part of the transitions from Bing maps to Azure maps, the Ordnance Survey layer in the UK is being lost. This was Bing maps's USP, and has been since Bing acquired Multimap. I use this layer pretty much every working day, as well as for leisure purposes: without this there is no reason to use Bing/Azure rather than Google maps. I'd just like to add my voice to those encouraging you to reinstate the OS layer.

IoTGirl 3,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-09-29T22:54:45.1466667+00:00

You can reach out to OS as a consumer (https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/consumer-partnerships) and build a direct relationship with them. I can't speak to the decision to stop importing the OS tiles to Bing but potentially there is an avenue that you can get them directly from OS and overlay them on whatever map platform you chose (For example https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/os-vector-tile-api could potentially be leveraged with Azure Maps Web control as an extra layer).
Ian Clark 0 Reputation points

2025-09-30T19:02:18.3666667+00:00

I also very frequently used the UK Ordnance Survey map option in Bing Maps for recording my walks and for planning road journeys. As such, I would also urge you to reconsider your removal of this option and re-instate the OS UK map into the Bing/Azure online maps

Ian Clark

Email Address (removed PII)
Nikhil Jha (Accenture International Limited) 2,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-01T06:04:35.81+00:00

Hi John Cookson,
Following up to see if we were able to help you with your concern, as correctly put up by
IoTGirl.
Alan Campbell 0 Reputation points

2025-10-02T21:13:44.28+00:00

I echo the comments above.

OS maps are the one selling point of Bing Maps. I will just stop using Bing altogether.

Typical Microsoft - don't have a clue.
IoTGirl 3,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-10-02T21:33:06.4766667+00:00

@Alan Campbell Please give this feedback using the feedback on Bing.com/maps. If you read the prior responses, you will note that this forum is for Developer Support. Bing Maps feedback should be given in the Bing Maps UI on the Consumer site. Please note that the Bing Maps team does make decisions based on usage so it would be my assumption that there are not many folks using the OS tiles in Bing Maps or they would not end the service.
Peter Cook 0 Reputation points

2025-10-19T22:33:33.0666667+00:00

The was something in one of the Monty Python books about a suicide club requiring new members - that was considered sick humour then. But that is way outflanked by MS wanted to increase its market share by stopping the only thing that gave it an edge. I guess this is another case of the US management not understanding what it had. I for one can no longer find any use for MS mapping. It only offers what everyone else offers, but not done as well. I think this particular MS "parrot" is well and truly dead, not matter how hard MS tell us it will make a comeback.
IoTGirl 3,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-10-22T15:25:51.22+00:00

@Peter Cook John Cleese did go to the Parrot Shop to complain about the parrot. If you wish to complain about Bing Maps ending support for OS Maps then you should go to Bing.com/maps to complain. As noted, in Azure Maps, you can get the OS tiles from OS and display them yourself.

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IoTGirl 3,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-09-29T22:54:45.1466667+00:00

You can reach out to OS as a consumer (https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/consumer-partnerships) and build a direct relationship with them. I can't speak to the decision to stop importing the OS tiles to Bing but potentially there is an avenue that you can get them directly from OS and overlay them on whatever map platform you chose (For example https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/os-vector-tile-api could potentially be leveraged with Azure Maps Web control as an extra layer).
Ian Clark 0 Reputation points

2025-09-30T19:02:18.3666667+00:00

I also very frequently used the UK Ordnance Survey map option in Bing Maps for recording my walks and for planning road journeys. As such, I would also urge you to reconsider your removal of this option and re-instate the OS UK map into the Bing/Azure online maps

Ian Clark

Email Address (removed PII)
Nikhil Jha (Accenture International Limited) 2,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-01T06:04:35.81+00:00

Hi John Cookson,
Following up to see if we were able to help you with your concern, as correctly put up by
IoTGirl.
Alan Campbell 0 Reputation points

2025-10-02T21:13:44.28+00:00

I echo the comments above.

OS maps are the one selling point of Bing Maps. I will just stop using Bing altogether.

Typical Microsoft - don't have a clue.
IoTGirl 3,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-10-02T21:33:06.4766667+00:00

@Alan Campbell Please give this feedback using the feedback on Bing.com/maps. If you read the prior responses, you will note that this forum is for Developer Support. Bing Maps feedback should be given in the Bing Maps UI on the Consumer site. Please note that the Bing Maps team does make decisions based on usage so it would be my assumption that there are not many folks using the OS tiles in Bing Maps or they would not end the service.
Peter Cook 0 Reputation points

2025-10-19T22:33:33.0666667+00:00

The was something in one of the Monty Python books about a suicide club requiring new members - that was considered sick humour then. But that is way outflanked by MS wanted to increase its market share by stopping the only thing that gave it an edge. I guess this is another case of the US management not understanding what it had. I for one can no longer find any use for MS mapping. It only offers what everyone else offers, but not done as well. I think this particular MS "parrot" is well and truly dead, not matter how hard MS tell us it will make a comeback.
IoTGirl 3,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-10-22T15:25:51.22+00:00

@Peter Cook John Cleese did go to the Parrot Shop to complain about the parrot. If you wish to complain about Bing Maps ending support for OS Maps then you should go to Bing.com/maps to complain. As noted, in Azure Maps, you can get the OS tiles from OS and display them yourself.

Answer 1

Hi @Ian Clark ,

As Ordinance Survey (OS) provides these tiles directly for free to consumers, I recommend reaching out as I mention in my prior comment as you can leverage these tiles yourself without Bing Maps. My team, Azure Maps, support the Developer Experience and Software Developers can add OS as an independent layer to Azure Maps and Bing support is not required for this to occur. You can look at https://samples.azuremaps.com/?search=tiles&sample=tile-layer-using-x%2C-y%2C-and-z as it brings in a third-party tile set from Open Street Maps (OSM) and you could do the same for OS tiles.

To give feedback to Bing on their decision, use the "feedback" option within the consumer experience rather than within the Developer Forum.

Sincerely,

IoTGirl

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Missing OS layer

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