Carriers test SnapTrack's E911 solution

Just weeks after introducing its wireless-aided location-finding solution based on global positioning, SnapTrack announced last week that seven code division multiple access carriers have banded together to test its product.

SnapTrack believes its handset-based solution offers numerous advantages over network-based solutions. "Users can turn it on or off," said Steve Poizner, president of SnapTrack.

Some carriers may choose a handset-based approach to avoid customer privacy concerns associated with solutions that constantly track users, said Ira Brodsky, president of Datacomm Research.

PrimeCo Personal Communications, Sprint PCS and GTE Wireless intend to conduct trials of multiple location-finding technologies in hopes of ultimately choosing a single solution for all CDMA networks. A standard location-finding solution would make it easier for CDMA carriers to provide seamless service when roaming between networks.

Privacy is one of many issues a carrier must consider, said John McLean, vice president of technology for GTE Wireless.

McLean said he would prefer a network-based solution if a cost-effective one with comparable service becomes available because it would not require users to replace their handsets. But no existing network-based solutions are acceptable for CDMA networks, he said: "The solutions are all invasive or harmful to our capacity."

McLean expects to have to implement up to three location-finding solutions: one to serve users of existing handsets, another such as SnapTrack's that requires new phones, and possibly a solution that serves an analog network. SnapTrack's solution works well with CDMA networks because it takes advantage of the processing power in CDMA phones and their effective use of antennas to pick up and send signals, McLean said.

"We're leveraging existing assets," Poizner said. The software relies on both the wireless network and global positioning satellites to determine a caller's location.

Using existing capabilities lowers costs; implementation will range from $5 to $10 per handset, Poizner said.