Location Based Services

http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/applications/location.shtml

GSM Location Based Services provide personalised services to the subscriber based on their current position. Two categories of methods can be used to find the location of the subscriber: basic and Advanced. Basic positioning methods are based on the knowledge of the cell the subscriber is using (cell ID). This can be used alone, or together with other information available in the network such as timing advance (TA) and network measurement reports (NMR). This information is available for all handsets.Advanced techniques will be available in new handsets such as Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) and Assisted GPS (A-GPS)which uses the GSM network to help the reception of the freely available GPS system.The division of position technologies above is based on accuracy of the positioning method. Other factors, also very important are for example complexity of the system, availability of the positioning technology in the network (e.g. A-GPS may not be available everywhere) and the investment needed on the network side and in handsets
The Services Group (SerG) of the GSM Association has produced a Permanent Reference Document (PRD SE.23) on Location Base Services (LBS). The objective of this PRD is to:
Brief the operator community at large on Location Based Services (LBS) and examples thereof.
Develop guidelines and requirements for roaming and interoperability between operators.
Help GSMA develop strategies to build pro-active co-operation with other significant industry fora.
To provide operational guidelines to operators in advance of the availability of technical standards (e.g. inter-GMLC interface).
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