Question : Mobile Location Requests to Network

Hello Experts,

I am doing research into Mobile LBS and have found that most mobile OSs have API's for location based services. I am interested in finding out how the mobile phone actually gets its location. My assumption is that the mobiles network has a system where they acccept their customers request and replies wth the location.

Is this assumption correct?
Do all networks provide such a service?
Is there a cost associated for the mobile phone user?

Where do I find out more?

This research is directed to the UK inparticular but all replies relating to the US will also be appreciated.

Thx
-Dudach

Answer : Mobile Location Requests to Network

Hi Dudach,

Most LBS are GPS based. The phone sends its long/lat to a Web server and gets response that displays on the screen.
http://www.networkmagazineindia.com/200202/200202focus1.shtml

Location of Mobile phones without GPS is based on Radiolocation either on Phone or Base Stations side.

Some companies provide Radiolocation based on Base Stations calculations. For example, Verzion offers the service for $10/month.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/turnbyturn.jsp

Radiolocation calculated on the Mobile phone side should be free of charge as the one is performed on your cell phone. For some examples you can visit:
http://www.placelab.org/
especially:
http://www.placelab.org/publications/

I should suggest that you stick to the GPS based solution.

Vilia