News

Larger, colour screens on mobile devices and faster data rates suggest that now is the time for location based offerings to take off in the UK, according to location data specialists at Ordnance Survey.

In recent years LBS have been seen as a fundamental part of the ‘killer cocktail’ of applications for increasing Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for the mobile networks and most have been offering some kind of 'where’s my nearest service' with the address delivered via SMS or Wap.

Technical specialists at Ordnance Survey have been investigating how, with the latest generation of mobile devices, compelling and useful location-based services can be developed using their geographic data as the baseline. Neil Wilkins, Vertical Marketing Manager at the national mapping agency explained: "When you consider that our geographic dataset of Great Britain contains some 440 million uniquely identifiable objects, you begin to realise its potential. The detail, currency and accuracy of this data can underpin some impressive applications delivered to new generation handsets."

Ordnance Survey has developed a proof of concept to show the potential of its location data. The result is a demonstrator that delivers you from door to door, dynamically avoiding traffic delays, pays congestion charges automatically, gives audio routing instructions in urban areas triggered by GPS and even books a parking space. When parked up, you are shown building level mapping to your destination and even a video movie of the street you are about to walk down. The demonstration also has 'where’s my nearest' features and a predictive route planner that will automatically send a text message to whoever might be waiting at home informing them that the you might be a little late due to traffic!

Wilkins concluded: "This shows what can be achieved. Our role is to provide the rich location data to underpin these kinds of services. We are now looking to engage with application developers and LBS specialists to bring these ideas to life and to bring geographic intelligence to mobile users."

For further information, contact Scott Sinclair, Chief Press Officer.

11-11-2003.