Location Based Services (UK Only)
It is possible to use the mobile networks in the UK to find the location of a mobile user. This could be for marketing or find-my-nearest purposes, or to track assets or employees. There are two ways of using the mobile operators to get location information, and there is a fee for each lookup made.
Location Forwarding
When users send in a text on our short code we can forward the message to your server with a latitude and longitude, which is an approximate fix of the user's location. The approximate post code can also be forwarded.
With Location Forwarding we do not forward you the sender's mobile number but instead send an alias. You can then lookup the information you need that is relating to the user's location and then use our platform to send an SMS or MMS response back to the aliased number.
This mechanisms ensures the user's privacy and they remain anonymous and allows the quick setup of a "My Nearest" kind of service.
For example you may have a list of restaurants and so when the person texts EATNOW you can then lookup the nearest restaurant from your database and return them the details by SMS or MMS.
Location Lookup
With this method, you can supply us with a mobile number and we send back to you in real time the latitude, longitude and postcode of the mobile handset's current (or last known) location.
This service operates on an opt-in basis, that is, where the user agrees to have their own phone looked up. We will need to pass details of your planned usage to the mobile operators for their approval before access to the service is given. Because of this, it can be a while before your service can be up and running.
Try It Out...
To see how this service works, send the text
SENDME LOC
to short code
60300
You will receive a text message back with your approximate post code, and coordinates.
NOTE: To prevent abuse of this service, the text sent back to you will cost 50p. This demo works in the UK only on O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone. No identifiable details are stored on our systems in relation to your location.
How Does It Work?
The Operator-based location lookup system uses the nearest masts to calculate the approximate location of a mobile phone. This means that as long as the handset is switched on and receiving a signal from a mast anywhere in the UK we can lookup it's location.
The accuracy is based on the proximity to the cell towers and so you would get a closer reading in built up areas with many towers or micro-cells.
The service is currently available on the UK networks O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone.