Location Based Services

Location Based Services (LBS) are services offered by operators that provide information specific to a cellular user's location. Some uses include mapping and navigation applications and social networking services based on location and presence technologies.

Through the use of proximity-based notification, a LBS user can quickly receive local weather information, traffic alerts, targeted advertising, or the location of a nearby business without having to program in a zip code. They could also be notified when a family member or a "buddy" with similar interests is in the vicinity. LBS technology can also allow for speedy and efficient proximity-based payment systems.

In addition to these consumer benefits, LBS provide benefits to the enterprise user such as resource tracking and fleet management, search functions, and targeted promotions.

In the past, LBS has been closely associated with E911 emergency services, and this will continue to be refined in the near future. However, the promise of commercial LBS has been prevalent for several years, and we are finally starting to see navigational services available in the Americas market. Location information may be to the cell site level, or eventually, within a few meters. This type of location awareness and high accuracy technology can add tremendous value to any application that provides relevant, contextually accurate location-based content.

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