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Location-based services

Location-Based Services (LBS) provide personalised services to the user on request, based on their current position. This could include information on nearby restaurants, hotels or other location-specific content such as maps.

Today, it is possible to differentiate between a number of methods of location tracking.

Many LBS applications establish the location of the user by simply being informed by the cellular network which base station the user is currently connected to - a technique known as Cell-ID. This basic form of location tracking is supported by all GSM handsets. The subscriber's location can be tracked to an area of between 200 metres and 1 kilometre.

A more advanced and accurate location technology is GPS (Global Position System). GPS uses satellites to fix the position of a mobile unit that has special hardware and software for receiving these signals. By triangulation of signals from three of the satellites, a device equipped with a suitable chip can pinpoint its current location anywhere on Earth to within a few meters. The need for a chip inside the mobile phone, thereby adding to the cost, weight and power requirements of the devices, has made this a less desirable option, but prices are now falling to make it a more attractive option. GPS does, however, suffer from a relatively long delay (sometimes more than a minute) to get an initial fix on the location of a unit.

Assisted GPS (A-GPS) systems have therefore been set up to resolve the long delay that can occur in locating a unit. Data about the mobile unit is transmitted through the network of base stations to speed up the process of location, bringing it down to only a few seconds. This advanced technique is being introduced in new GSM handsets. A-GPS is a well-proven technique already used worldwide for the accurate tracking of valuable assets such as shipping containers and high-value loads.

It is not clear which technology will dominate but what is certain is that LBS is finding greater acceptance by operators and users. Early mapping applications were basic, but with the availability of 2.5G and 3GSM handsets with large colour screens and higher data rates, operators are able to provide much better quality mapping images.