Openwave Introduces New Location Offering for Operators in Emerging Markets

Openwave Systems has launched a  location-based services platform with offers both basic and advanced location-based services (LBS) and is compatible with GSM/UMTS mobile phone and network standards.

"We are pleased to provide a feature rich LBS solution that helps enable operators in emerging markets quickly deploy secure location-based services," said Dan Nguyen, interim vice president, products and marketing, Openwave. "Openwave is a world leader in location infrastructure and is processing more than 100 million transactions per month. We believe Location Express will be an excellent entry vehicle for smaller operators in growing markets."

Basic LBS enabled by Location Express utilizes Cell/Sector ID position information to offer low cost services to a variety of subscriber segments and prepaid users with entry level voice and SMS capable handsets. Location Express can also enable basic enterprise fleet tracking applications satisfied by Cell ID level accuracy, for example tracking the progress of long distance passenger buses and transport vehicles.

Advanced LBS enabled by Location Express is backed by high accuracy Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology, which allows an operator to offer more sophisticated high-accuracy consumer services such as turn by turn navigation and child locator-type applications. In addition, advanced fleet tracking services allow businesses to monitor their assets within 100 feet by tracking A-GPS/data enabled PDAs that can also support mobile enterprise applications (e.g. case/work order management).

Location Express utilizes standard OpenLS and Mobile Location Protocol (MLP), ensuring support for a broad range of location applications. Openwave Location Express securely authenticates and authorizes location requests while addressing privacy issues, giving users control over how their location information is being used. Subscribers can also self provision access privileges for applications requesting their position, and specify temporal filters that only allow applications to obtain position information during a specified time period, such as during work hours.

Posted to the site on 19th May 2009