from the dept. The power of location-based services will be increased dramatically by new 3G technologies. But will they deliver exciting new services to consumers, or will it just be open season for companies to jam our handset displays with unwanted ads? Wireless location services are already here. Navigation systems in cars, location-based role-playing games in some cities, automatic location services being launched through major portals that let you know where you are and what’s near you without having to type in any post codes. 3G location And with the advent of 3G, location-based services (LBS) will become even more sophisticated. Imagine, high resolution maps, city-wide role-playing games using advanced global positioning (GPS) techniques, a sound clip of a band playing your kind of music broadcast to your handset when you pass the venue they’re appearing at tonight. Privacy concerns But there’s a downside to LbS. There are serious privacy concerns, with many users not comfortable with the idea that operators and content providers will know where they are whenever they have their handsets switched on. Concern has been raised, too, about advertising, with fears that companies might use the power of LPS to shove unwanted advertising and content into our handsets. Whither LBS? The place of wireless positioning within 3G will be discussed by operators and content providers at a conference organised by marcusvans being held in the Hyatt Carlton Tower Hotel in London on April 25-27. Key talking points will be how to use LBS to deliver reliable billing services, information service, tracking, safety systems and other applications over GSM, GPRS and 3G mobile networks. Groovy new applications Many of the conference attendees will be outlining what they plan to offer us over the next year or two. To name just a few examples, wireless navigation application developer Webraska will be talking about its plans to make sure that LBS can be delivered to any mobile handset. Mobile community technology developer Yakara will outline how LBS can create mobile communities based on shared interests and LBS software developer Trackwell will show how entertainment and gaming can be enhanced through wireless positioning. Regulation framework But the conference won’t just be looking at the opportunities of wireless positioning and LPS for businesses and consumers. Regulation, and the concerns of consumers about privacy, will also feature prominently at the conference. The European Commission will be talking about the regulations it is drawing up to protect consumer privacy and control advertising through LBS, as well as other issues. < | >
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