Track a Cell Phone Using GPS

In emergency situations, it's good to know it is possible to track a cell phone using GPS. What this means is that when someone calls 911, but becomes unable to tell the operator his or her location, the 911 attendant can then team up with the mobile service provider to find the caller's location within approximately 100 meters. But what about other applications? And is it legal to track someone based on their cell phone signal?

Track a Cell Phone Using GPS

It is possible to track a cell phone using GPS technology, because at any time, a mobile phone is sending out a signal. This happens whether there is a voice call or not, meaning that even in standby mode, a signal is being sent out by the cell phone's "radio." This is true of both CDMA and GSM-based cell phones.

In order to determine the location of a cell phone (and thus, the person attached to it), technicians can gather data from three nearby cell phone towers. By comparing the relative strength of the signal between these towers in the service area and placing these figures into a complex algorithm, they are able to find the location within 100 meters or so. This comes in very handy for emergency situations, because a person may be in danger.

Verizon VZ Navigator Service

Verizon Wireless offers a GPS-like navigation service on many of their cell phones. Call the Verizon VZ Navigator Service, it is not true GPS, because the mobile phones are typically not equipped with GPS receivers. Instead, this turn-by-turn navigation Java application finds your location based on a similar triangulation method to the one described above. As such, it is not necessarily "smart" enough to know your precise location at all times and must constantly update itself by connecting to the cell phone towers.

Because the service is from the handset's point of view, it is not "tracking" in the traditional sense, but you can see the potential of such a possibility based on the technology that is already in place. The Verizon VZ Navigator service basically demonstrates what can be done without the need for an actual |GPS receiver.

Sprint-Nextel GPS Cell Phones

While not quite available for Sprint PCS phones, there are a few handsets in the Nextel lineup that come equipped with full-fledged GPS. These are mostly the iDEN-based Motorola cell phones and they are designed for business people and folks who work outdoors, particularly in industrial areas or rugged terrain. By launching the equipped GPS application, users can find their current location and navigate themselves appropriately. Eventually, this sort of functionality should extend to the entire Sprint-Nextel family.

At this time, there is no direct service that allows for remote tracking of individuals via this service. Instead, it is largely restricted for emergency personnel if a cell phone must be tracked externally. This is in line with privacy legislation.

Boost Mobile: Where You At?

Boost Mobile, an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that runs off of the Sprint-Nextel network, has a GPS-based service that allows friends to track one another's whereabouts. This is an opt-in service, so you shouldn't necessarily by afraid that a random person could be finding out where you are. At the same time, the possibility is there, and just as people can hack into computer networks, it is also possible that a hacker may infiltrate a cellular network.

Legal Ramifications

It is illegal to track a person without the proper legal authority, and as such, unless you have a justifiable reason for doing so, you probably shouldn't attempt to track a cell phone using GPS without the person's explicit permission. The exception to this, as mentioned above, pertains to emergency personnel, because by dialing 911 on the cell phone, the user has effectively granted permission to the emergency response team to track them accordingly.

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