NEC Partners with SnapTrack to Bring Location Information Services to Mobile Communications Operators

Tokyo-based NEC, one of the world's leading suppliers of telecommunications communications products, and San Jose, California-based SnapTrack Inc. have announced an agreement to join forces in the field of personal location technology to significantly enhance the scope of available location information services in Japan.

NEC Corporation will utilize SnapTrack's personal location technology to develop a location information system that will be marketed to mobile communications operators in Japan as a value-added service for mobile communications systems. In addition, NEC and SnapTrack will discuss further marketing possibilities of this system to worldwide mobile communications operators. They will combine their talents in a wide range of overseas projects, including joint development of new products and services, and product quality assurance and maintenance.

Under the terms of agreement, NEC will integrate SnapTrack's Global Positioning System software in its mobile communications system positioning server, which will then be marketed to mobile communications operators as a total solution service application. SnapTrack will allow NEC to use its personal location technology, and provide technical support to operators who purchase the system. NEC and SnapTrack plans to develop new products and services for a mobile communications location information system together, and to provide such quality management solution for their products as quality assurance and maintenance.

Currently, there are a few location information systems available in Japan that use GPS; however, SnapTrack's personal location technology will allow for distinct advantages over existing GPS position location systems. These advantages include: positioning time is reduced by 1/10, to approximately 1 - 6 seconds; positioning accuracy of approximately 1/4 to 1/10, from 5 meter to 50 meter accuracy; a 100-fold improvement in positioning sensitivity due to location information correction by the server. In addition, the technology allows for low-cost embedding of the service into cellular telephones with minimum impact on the terminal size and weight. This feature will enable NEC to provide an advanced, easy-to-use location information service at a low cost.

SnapTrack's software will be integrated into a positioning server, to which NEC will add service controllers, tracking servers and Internet connection gateways. Coupled with NEC's proven real-time rapid application technology, as well as its high reliability, scalability and quality assurance technologies, the system will enable a location information service solution that will satisfy carrier class requirements.

The two companies anticipate that the popularity of this new location information service solution will significantly expand the breadth of the application. These applications could include services that determine emergency calls or those that utilize the display window of cellular telephones for position information. In addition, position information can be used for tracking sales people, children and pets, for arranging meeting places, and for alerting customers to special toll rate area discounts.

NEC and SnapTrack expect that their agreement will yield significant developments in the field of position information services by leveraging NEC's track record of providing total solutions for communications operators. NEC has provided a wide range of network enhanced service solutions such as switching systems, voice mail, FAX mail and short message services for stationary and mobile communications operators, both domestically and internationally. NEC plans an aggressive sales program to target mobile communications operators and market services utilizing SnapTrack's industry-leading positioning and GPS technologies. For more information, on the latest GPS News see gps phones.

Author Notes:

Tony Doyle contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.handheld-gps-reviews.com.  A wealth of information about Global Positioning Systems for commercial or personal use.