Results of LATAM Survey Suggest 2006/2007 Big Years for LBS : "Madrid, Spain, February 23, 2006 � Despite years of build-up and hype, location based services were still in an early stage of slow growth at the beginning of 2005. From about the year 2000, only a handful of operators worldwide had launched location based services for their enterprise and individual subscribers. However, the recent introduction of 3G network technology in many markets (and many more to come) coupled with the emphasis on boosting data revenues, it seems like the stage is finally set for widespread rollouts during 2006 and 2007.

This analysis is backed up by the results of a recent survey carried out by Genasys in the Latin American telecoms market. According to respondents, 62% of operators are currently evaluating LBS services, vendors, and business models in preparation for roll-outs to take place in the next 12-24 months. Highlights of the survey include:


Only 31% of respondents who do not currently offer LBS are interested in a 100% onsite installation financed by infrastructure investments. The rest are interested a mixed-model solution that requires lower capex investment offset by higher opex.


Mobile Resource (or Fleet) Management applications, like the TrackWell TracScape, are the most in demand while local chat seems to holds the least appeal in the markets where these solutions have yet to be imlemented.


Usability ranked highest as a key factor for the uptake of location-based application. It was followed closely by reasonable cost and practicality/usefulness.

Fernando Lalanda, Genasys VP of Business Development explains: �We decided to carry out this survey to bring us closer to the market�s needs, priorities, and concerns. We had been working on our direct experience with several regional operators and, as "