LBS Platforms and Technologies - 5th Edition

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Dec 09, 2013, 07:24 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

LBS Platforms and Technologies – 5th Edition

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Mobile location platforms enable three categories of location-based services (LBS): public safety, national security and law enforcement, as well as commercial services. About 70 percent of all emergency calls are placed from mobile phones and it can often be difficult for callers to convey their location to first responders. Location platforms can not only reduce the time to find the location of the caller, but also enable more efficient handling of simultaneous calls from people reporting the same incident to distinguish single accidents from multiple events. Another use case is public warning systems that locate and send messages to all handsets within a geo-fenced area. Government agencies can use location platforms and data mining systems for infrastructure protection and location-enhanced lawful intercept.

Location technologies can be divided into handset-based technologies (such as GPS) with intelligence mainly in the handset, network-based technologies (for instance Cell-ID, RF Pattern Matching and U-TDOA) with intelligence mainly in the network, as well as hybrid technologies (for instance A-GPS and OTDOA) with intelligence in both the handset and the network. Several new hybrid location technologies are in development, aiming to improve the performance of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in difficult environments. In pure indoor environments where GNSS is unavailable, the most common location technologies rely on Wi-Fi location using RF Pattern Matching or multilateration, augmented with data from sensors in the handset such as accelerometer, gyroscope, compass and barometer.

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) E911 mandates for location of mobile emergency calls released in 1996 was a major driver behind the development of location platforms for the North American market. In Europe, as well as in other developed countries such as Japan and South Korea, early deployments of location platforms focused on supporting commercial services due to the lack of a clear mandate for emergency services. In the first deployment phase, lasting from 2000 to 2003, operators invested in platforms and services. Overall, the results did not live up to the expectations in terms of uptake or usage and many operators therefore lost interest in LBS as a mass-market proposition. In developed countries, most commercial LBS – especially consumer-oriented services – are now provided by third party app developers and handset platform vendors that rely on GPS and Wi-Fi location data obtained directly from handsets. Instead, mobile operators are showing a growing interest in using location data as an enabler for numerous enterprise and B2B services. Network-based location data can for instance support various forms of fraud management and secure authentication services. Operators are also starting to leverage location data for advertising and analytics applications. Government mandates continue to drive deployments of location platforms and new technologies. In most parts of the world, governments and telecom regulators are gradually introducing emergency call and lawful intercept mandates that require at least basic location platforms. Although most regulators have not yet imposed any specific location accuracy requirements as part of the mandates, more stringent location accuracy may well be demanded in the future as technologies mature and costs decrease. For instance, in the US, the FCC is considering updated mandates that would introduce accuracy requirements also for emergency calls made indoors.

In addition to supporting emergency services, a diverse set of players are also developing indoor location technologies to enable various commercial use-cases ranging from navigation, to marketing and analytics. The established location platform vendors and chipset vendors are extending their offerings to enable indoor location. At the same time, a growing number of technology specialists and start-up companies launch software or infrastructure solutions that enable handset vendors, app developers, enterprises and venue owners to add indoor location capabilities to apps and handsets that are already in use.

Berg Insight estimates that approximately 40 percent of the mobile network operators worldwide have deployed at least some type of basic location platform. Additional deployments as well as updates of existing platforms to support new location technologies and features can be expected in most markets in the coming years. The primary driver remains government mandates, but growing operator interest in advertising and analytics services will also play an important role in future growth. Berg Insight forecasts that total global annual revenues for GMLC/MPC, SMLC/PDE, SUPL A-GNSS and passive location systems will grow from € 190 million in 2012 to € 275 million in 2018. These revenues comprise licenses for new platform deployments, as well as capacity and technology upgrades, maintenance and support services for existing platforms.

This report will allow you to:
• Benefit from 30 new executive interviews with market leading companies.
• Learn about the latest trends on the location platform and technologies market.
• Identify new business opportunities enabled by new location platform architectures.
• Comprehend how passive location platform architectures can enable new business opportunities.
• Discover new players in the indoor location platform market.
• Recognise how different use cases and market segments drive location platform developments.
• Predict which location technologies will be deployed in the future.
• Anticipate future drivers for location platforms and middleware revenues.

This report answers the following questions:
• What is the current status of the global mobile LBS platform market?
• Which mobile operators have deployed LBS platforms and middleware?
• How is GPS-technology altering the conditions for LBS app developers?
• Which use cases and market segments are driving location platform development?
• How is GPS-technology affecting network-based location technologies?
• How will lawful intercept requirements affect technology choice for operators?
• Which location platforms and technologies are best suited for location-based advertising?
• Which vendors provide location platforms and middleware today?

Who should buy this report?
LBS Platforms and Technologies is the foremost source of information about this market in all major regions. Whether you are a technology vendor, telecom operator, investor, consultant, application developer or government agency, you will gain valuable insights from our in-depth research.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents i
List of Figures vii

Executive summary 1

1 Introduction to location platforms 3

1.1 Location platforms and location-based services 3
1.1.1 Overview of mobile location platforms 4
1.1.2 A brief history of location platforms and services 4
1.2 Mobile communication services 6
1.2.1 Mobile voice and data subscribers 7
1.2.2 Mobile voice and SMS revenues 8
1.2.3 Mobile data and application revenues 8
1.2.4 Location apps and service revenues 9
1.3 Mobile location platforms and technologies 10
1.3.1 Mobile location platforms 10
1.3.2 Mobile location technologies 11
1.3.3 Location middleware 13
1.4 The mobile LBS value chain 14
1.4.1 Location technology developers and platform vendors 14
1.4.2 Connectivity chipset vendors 15
1.4.3 LBS middleware vendors 16
1.4.4 Indoor location solution providers 16
1.4.5 Mobile network operators 17
1.4.6 Location aggregators and database providers 17
1.4.7 Smartphone platform and handset vendors 18
1.4.8 Mobile application developers and service providers 18
1.5 Telecoms regulations drive location platform deployments 19
1.5.1 European emergency call and privacy regulations 19
1.5.2 LBS regulatory environment in the US 21
1.5.3 Emergency call regulations in Australia 23
1.5.4 Emergency call regulations in Canada 23
1.5.5 The Indian Department of Telecommunications location mandate 24
1.5.6 Emergency call regulations in Japan 24

2 Technology overview 25

2.1 Mobile network location platforms 26
2.1.1 Location architecture for GSM/UMTS networks 26
2.1.2 Location architecture for LTE networks 27
2.1.3 Location architecture and technologies in 3GPP2 networks 28
2.1.4 Control Plane and User Plane location platforms 29
2.1.5 OMA SUPL 1.0 30
2.1.6 OMA SUPL 2.0 and SUPL 2.1 30
2.1.7 OMA SUPL 3.0 32
2.1.8 Handset client-based and probe-based location platforms 33
2.1.9 Location in converged IP networks 34
2.2 Network-based positioning technologies 35
2.2.1 Cell-ID 35
2.2.2 Enhanced Cell-ID and RF Pattern Matching methods 37
2.2.3 E-OTD and OTDOA 37
2.2.4 Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA) 38
2.2.5 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi positioning 40
2.3 GNSS and hybrid location technologies 41
2.3.1 GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Compass/BeiDou 2 41
2.3.2 Assisted GPS and A-GNSS 44
2.3.3 Hybrid, mixed mode and indoor location technologies 46
2.4 Comparison of location technologies 47
2.4.1 Network-based location technologies 48
2.4.2 Handset-based and hybrid location technologies 48
2.4.3 Location technologies in development 50

3 Location technology market trends 51

3.1 Multiple parallel efforts drive location technology development 51
3.1.1 Emergency call location and public safety 51
3.1.2 Location-enhanced lawful intercept and national security 52
3.1.3 Consumer and enterprise LBS and apps 53
3.1.4 Commercial indoor location services 55
3.1.5 Mobile marketing and advertising 56
3.1.6 Fraud management and secure authentication 56
3.2 Smartphone ecosystems 57
3.2.1 Smartphone platform market shares 58
3.2.2 Handset vendors and operators start to back new smartphone platforms 60
3.2.3 Smartphone platforms transform into new vertical silos 61
3.2.4 Towards a complete LBS offerings 61

4 Commercial deployments 63

4.1 Platform deployments in Europe 64
4.1.1 3 Group 67
4.1.2 Deutsche Telekom Group 67
4.1.3 KPN Group 68
4.1.4 Orange Group 68
4.1.5 SFR 69
4.1.6 Telecom Italia Mobile 70
4.1.7 Telefónica Group 70
4.1.8 Telenor Group 71
4.1.9 TeliaSonera Group 72
4.1.10 Vodafone Group 73
4.2 Platform deployments in the Americas 74
4.2.1 AT&T Mobility 76
4.2.2 Bell Mobility 77
4.2.3 Rogers Wireless 77
4.2.4 Sprint 77
4.2.5 Verizon Wireless 79
4.3 Platform deployments in Asia-Pacific 79
4.3.1 BSNL 81
4.3.2 China Mobile 81
4.3.3 NTT DoCoMo 81
4.3.4 Telstra 82
4.3.5 Telkomsel 82
4.4 Platform deployments in ROW 83

5 Market forecasts and trends 85

5.1 LBS market trends 85
5.1.1 Emergency call mandates remain a key driver for platform deployments 86
5.1.2 Location-enabled lawful intercept 86
5.1.3 Location-based services revenue forecast 87
5.1.4 Smartphone shipment forecast 88
5.2 Location platform deployments 89
5.2.1 Vendor market shares 89
5.2.2 GMLC/MPC and SMLC/PDE platform deployment forecasts 90
5.2.3 A-GPS and SUPL A-GPS server deployment forecast 92
5.2.4 Location middleware deployment forecast 94
5.2.5 Indoor location platform deployment forecast 95

6 Location platform and technology vendor profiles 97

6.1 GMLC and SMLC location platform vendors 97
6.1.1 Alcatel-Lucent 99
6.1.2 Creativity Software 100
6.1.3 Ericsson 101
6.1.4 GBSD Technologies 102
6.1.5 Intersec 103
6.1.6 Mobile Arts 104
6.1.7 Oksijen 105
6.1.8 Persistent Systems 106
6.1.9 Polaris Wireless 106
6.1.10 Redknee 108
6.1.11 Septier Communication 108
6.1.12 TeleCommunication Systems 109
6.1.13 TruePosition 111
6.2 Location middleware vendors 113
6.2.1 Aepona 113
6.2.2 CellVision 114
6.2.3 Genasys 115
6.2.4 Mobilaris 116
6.2.5 Reach-U 117
6.2.6 Telenity 118
6.3 GNSS chipset and assistance server vendors 120
6.3.1 Broadcom 122
6.3.2 CSR 123
6.3.3 Qualcomm 124
6.3.4 Rx Networks 125
6.4 Handset-client location platforms and location data aggregators 127
6.4.1 Apigee: API management services for enterprises and developers 127
6.4.2 Combain Mobile: Provider of global Cell-ID and Wi-Fi location database 128
6.4.3 Esri: Leading GIS vendor acquires location platform developer Geoloqi 129
6.4.4 Locaid: The leading Location-as-a-Service company 129
6.4.5 Navizon: Expanding location database with Wi-Fi RTLS and analytics 131
6.4.6 Skyhook: Hybrid location engine for device vendors and app developers 132
6.4.7 TechnoCom: LBS compliance testing and location aggregation services 133
6.5 Indoor location technology developers 134
6.5.1 Aisle411: Indoor location services for retailers 135
6.5.2 Apple: iBeacon Bluetooth LE for indoor location and proximity detection 136
6.5.3 Aruba Networks: Wi-Fi vendor acquires LBS software company Meridian 136
6.5.4 Boeing: Boeing Timing & Location using Iridium satellite signals 137
6.5.5 ByteLight: Location and presence verification based on LED lighting 138
6.5.6 Cisco Systems: Acquires location analytics developer ThinkSmart 138
6.5.7 Estimote: Analytics and engagement platform using BLE beacons 139
6.5.8 GloPos: Software-based indoor positioning using mobile network signals 140
6.5.9 iInside: Bluetooth-based location platform and analytics for retailers 141
6.5.10 Indoo.rs: Complementing Wi-Fi fingerprinting with Bluetooth LE beacons 141
6.5.11 IndoorAtlas: Indoor location using magnetic field measurements 142
6.5.12 Insiteo: End-to-end indoor location platform solution for venue owners 142
6.5.13 Lighthouse Signal Systems: Indoor location service with open API 143
6.5.14 Locata Corporation: Extends GPS coverage with ground-based LocataNets 144
6.5.15 Loctronix: Software defined radio and sensor fusion developer 144
6.5.16 Movea: Motion sensing and data fusion technologies for consumer devices 145
6.5.17 Nearbuy Systems: Wi-Fi and video analytics systems for retailers 146
6.5.18 NextNav: Developer of the Metropolitan Beacon System 146
6.5.19 Nokia: Transitioning from device sales to technology and content licensing 147
6.5.20 Point Inside: Shopper engagement platform for retailers 148
6.5.21 Pole Star: Launching crowd-sourcing for global indoor location coverage 149
6.5.22 Ruckus Wireless: Wi-Fi equipment vendor acquires YFind 150
6.5.23 SenionLab: MEMS and Wi-Fi signal fusion software developer 151
6.5.24 Sensewhere: Geo-fencing platform with crowd-sourced location database 152
6.5.25 Trusted Positioning: Location software using MEMS and wireless networks 152
6.5.26 Walkbase: New focus on retail analytics using Wi-Fi infrastructure 153
6.5.27 Wifarer: Indoor location and content management system for venue owners 153

Glossary 155

List of Figures

Figure 1.1: Mobile subscriptions and handset sales by standard (World Q2-2013) 6
Figure 1.2: Mobile subscriptions and handset sales by region (World Q2-2013) 7
Figure 1.3: Wireless service revenues (World 2012) 9
Figure 1.4: Mobile location system overview 10
Figure 1.5: Overview of the LBS value chain 15
Figure 2.1: Location architecture overview 27
Figure 2.2: Location Information Server in converged IP networks 34
Figure 2.3: Cellular frequency reuse pattern 35
Figure 2.4: Cell-ID location methods 36
Figure 2.5: U-TDOA location 39
Figure 2.6: Assisted GNSS technologies 45
Figure 2.7: Performance and limiting factors for network-based location technologies 47
Figure 2.8: Performance and limiting factors for hybrid location technologies 49
Figure 3.1: Smartphone adoption by region (World 2010–2013) 57
Figure 3.2: Smartphone shipments by vendor and OS (World Q2-2013) 59
Figure 4.1: Location infrastructure and technology vendor customer references 63
Figure 4.2: Location infrastructure deployments in Europe 64
Figure 4.3: Location infrastructure deployments in the Americas 74
Figure 4.4: Location infrastructure deployments in Asia-Pacific 80
Figure 4.5: Location infrastructure deployments in ROW 83
Figure 5.1: Emergency and commercial LBS revenue forecast (World 2012–2018) 87
Figure 5.2: Handset shipments by segment and price range (World 2012–2018) 88
Figure 5.3: Location infrastructure vendor market shares (World 2013) 89
Figure 5.4: Location platform revenues by region (World 2012–2018) 90
Figure 5.5: Indoor location platform revenues (World 2012–2018) 95
Figure 6.1: Location infrastructure and technology vendors 97
Figure 6.2: Location infrastructure and technology product offerings by vendor 98
Figure 6.3: Major location middleware vendors 113
Figure 6.4: Examples of GNSS chipset and assistance server developers 120
Figure 6.5: Location aggregators and client-based location platform developers 127
Figure 6.6: Overview of indoor location technologies by vendor 134