Location Technologies for
GSM, GPRS and UMTS Networks

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recent marketing estimates from two market studies [1, 2] conclude that the wireless location services market
will generate from $7B to $8B in revenue over the next few years – new revenue that is over and above that
generated through services currently offered by wireless operators. This white paper presents the
requirements for these services and compares the location technologies available to operators of GSM, GPRS
and UMTS networks.
To be successful, location services must provide value and meet the service expectations of the subscriber as
well as meeting the implementation and cost requirements of the operator. The location technologies
examined in this paper are evaluated from the perspective of these requirements. Technologies considered are
Cell-ID, Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD), Observed Timed Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), Wireless
Assisted GPS (A-GPS) and A-GPS-based hybrid technologies (combining A-GPS with other standards-based
technologies). From the analysis performed, key trends and the most appropriate solutions for new wireless
location services are identified.