Mobile location service applications vary widely in their requirements for speed and accuracy. Table 5.1 was developed by Mobile Streams (http://www.mobilestreams.com) to compare the requirements of common location service applications.
Application |
Entry-Level Accuracy Requirements |
Mass Acceptance Accuracy Requirements |
Custom Device Required? |
Objective |
Location Frequency |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Location-sensitive billing |
Cell/Sector |
250m |
No |
Competitive pricing |
Originated calls, received calls, midcall |
Roadside assistance |
500m |
125m |
No |
Send help |
Originated calls |
Mobile yellow pages |
Cell/Sector |
250m |
No |
What's near me? |
Originated calls |
Traffic information |
Cell/Sector |
Cell/Sector |
No |
What's traffic like? |
Originated calls or every 5 minutes |
Location-based messages |
Cell/Sector |
125m |
Short message or data capable |
Advertise, alert, inform |
Originated calls or every 5 minutes |
Fleet tracking |
Cell/Sector |
30?125m |
No |
Resource management |
Every 5 minutes or on demand |
Track packages |
Cell/Sector |
Cell/Sector |
Yes |
Locate and direct |
On demand |
Driving directions |
125m |
30m |
Yes |
Guidance |
Every 5 seconds |
Source: © 2001 Mobile Streams Ltd. |