GPS Tracking

Cell phones compete in GPS tracking  market

WOODSTOCK (Thursday,March 19, 2009) -  Global Positioning System (GPS tracking ) technology is becoming more sophisticated, making the world around us a little smaller and the distances between us a bit shorter, day by day.

The telecommunications industry has jumped on the GPS bandwagon with fervor in recent years, hoping to become prevalent in a market dominated by manufacturers of GPS vehicle tracking system devices. There are some who predict the GPS cell phone business will soon grow to a $20 billion a year industry.

That might be welcome news to business owners and parents, many who feel they have a responsibility to see that those in their charge  - be they employees or loved ones – are behaving in a safe, responsible and/or efficient manner.  In an increasingly mobile society, GPS tracking choices are expanding and consumers are left to weigh their options to find the best solution for their needs in terms of accuracy, consistency, and convenience.

Evolution of cell phone GPS

The federal government took action following the tragedy of 9/11, requiring that all cell phones be furnished with a GPS chip, making it possible to determine the users’ geographical location. However, the  government allows tracking information to be released only in emergency situations, if it is without the knowledge of the owner.

Cell phone carriers saw the opportunity to expand on the convenience factor in wireless technology. Since cellular phones are everywhere and rarely separated from their users, GPS tracking was a logical new function.  Many cell phones equipped with GPS tracking are now being marketed to parents as teen trackers or child trackers.

But GPS tracking methods are not all created equal

• Cell phones employ the same basic method to obtain GPS readings: radio transmissions from a constellation of 24 U.S. Department of Defense satellites orbiting the earth. With cell phones, the signals are captured by the carrier’s cell tower network and transmitted to handheld phone. Location information might be less accurate and more limited rather than direct capture from satellite triangulation as is used in more traditional GPS tracking units. Location reports are more snapshots in time while traditional GPS tracking devices offer more detailed reports including routes, speed, duration and location of each stop.
• Cell phone owners must consent to the tracking feature, must own a cell phone package that is Internet-enabled and users must be within the same network. Traditional GPS tracking units, whether portable or fixed to the vehicle, receive and record data as independent units.
• The same technology that allows people to text, take and transmit pictures and talk to their friends on their cell phones might also prove problematic as it is used for tracking. Cell phone transmissions are not always clear. Complaints of spotty or unreliable service are common, particularly in remote areas or places where there are significant variations in topography. Like the picture function of a cell phone, it might not measure up in quality to the original device. GPS tracking ability is only as good as the cell phone reception at that particular time and locale.
• Cell phone-based GPS tracking requires that the phone is turned on and adequately powered. Tech-savvy teens can quickly learn to block calls and otherwise manipulate the set to jeopardize accurate location readings.
• GPS tracking is an added and optional feature to the cell phone contract. GPS-based vehicle tracking can be accomplished without a contract (less initial purchase price) in the case of passive devices or, in the case of real-time vehicle tracking devices, by monthly contract.

While cellular GPS phones have a clear benefit when used in emergency situations, especially as they have a direct link to the 911 system, they are not without their drawbacks. The advantages of GPS tracking are clear. Employers use it to improve efficiency. Concerned parents use it to ensure the safety of their children, particularly when they are new drivers or traveling a great distance away from home such as to college. And the applications continue to grow and expand as this new technology progresses.

Moving forward, consumers will be sure to see more and more products and systems capable of GPS tracking. Certainly, the market is driven in part by the desire to monitor our assets and loved ones.  Research and comparison ensures that the consumer will gain the best in accuracy, reliability and convenience.

Inarguably, GPS-enabled cell phones are becoming more popular. But they are not yet advanced enough technologically to match standard GPS tracking hardware. In-vehicle GPS tracking devices have proven themselves the leader s in the industry with powerful reception, ease of operation and support data that is consistent, detailed and trustworthy.

Tags: Cell Phone Tracking, GPS Tracking

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This entry was posted on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm and is filed under All Articles, GPS Tracking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.