HIGH ACCURACY LOCATION BASED SERVICES BOOSTED BY NEW SINGAPORE TRIAL

PLANS to launch wireless high accuracy location-based services for the rapidly expanding Asia Pacific GSM market have taken a major step forward following successful initial trials in Singapore.

PLANS to launch wireless high accuracy location-based services for the rapidly expanding Asia Pacific GSM market have taken a major step forward following successful initial trials in Singapore.

The trial, the most extensive of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, is supported by the Singapore Government through the Infocomm Development Authority's (IDA) "Wired With Wireless" programme. In particular, the IDA seeks to develop and encourage new wireless technologies and applications in Singapore and the region via the Pilots & Trials Hotspots (PATH) scheme under the programme.

A key aim is to highlight how location technologies like E-OTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference) can deliver far higher accuracy than Cell-ID-based systems, currently in use in the region, and support a broader range of applications.

Users tested a range of innovative applications - including buddy-finder, points of interest services, fleet management and PDA-enabled applications - running across an E-OTD enabled network jointly set up by SingTel Mobile and Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd (CPS).

Once in the Tampines trial area, officials from trial sponsors, SingTel Mobile and other trial users, were able to pinpoint users with an E-OTD enabled phone. One application involved using PDAs, Bluetooth and GPRS connections to simulate an ambulance service manager tracking the location of his vehicles at accuracy levels far superior to Cell-ID technologies.

Mr Hui Weng Cheong, SingTel Mobile's Vice-President (Consumer Products) commented: "Singtel Mobile was the first operator in Singapore to offer location-based services. The services have proven to be very useful and popular with our customers. We have been looking to enhance our existing applications and for higher accuracy positioning technology. This trial project provides us with a good opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of the E-OTD technology and the potential for high-accuracy applications."

Mr Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive (Infocomm Development Authority) of the IDA, said: "More accurate location information will enable more useful applications. With the availability of GPRS, MMS, multimedia phones and PDAs coupled with a good infrastructure, companies have initiated some exciting pilots and trials for location-based services in Singapore. This joint trial by CPS and SingTel Mobile-the world's first GSM-based E-OTD trial in a real-world environment involving live applications-further attests to Singapore's status as a living laboratory for wireless innovation."

CPS Chief Executive Chris Wade said: "This is an exciting start to this unique trial. It underlines the enormous potential that exists for a new generation of location-sensitive applications. Taking E-OTD-enabled handsets out into an E-OTD-enabled network and witnessing innovative applications working live impressed everyone involved.

"We look forward to expanding both the trial's scale and scope in terms of applications. The collaborative effort between SingTel Mobile, the IDA, the applications developers and ourselves is a model for future deployment and is a very encouraging signal to the GSM world."

It is intended that further trials involving a wider range of applications will begin before the end of the year.

The trial area - Tampines Town - was selected because of its mix of business, residential and retail areas. The trial itself also proved how E-OTD technology delivers far greater accuracy than the Cell-ID-based location technology currently used within the SingTel Mobile network.

The GSM market in Asia Pacific is growing rapidly with over 120 operators serving some 200m customers across the region.

E-OTD technology is already proven in US deployments where it has achieved sub-100m accuracy levels.

Ends

Media contacts:

Colin Ashcroft               
Cambridge Positioning Systems      
T: +44 (0) 1223 326984         
M: +44 (0) 7769 740 296      
E: colin.ashcroft@cursor-system.com

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