BlueSky Positioning has today announced its A-GPS (Assisted-Global Positioning System) technology for SIM products now provides full end-to-end security. BlueSky Positioning's A-GPS SIM protects the sensitive location information from SIM card to SIM card (or smart card), critical for applications like child tracking, asset tracking and emergency service call pinpointing. These security techniques are claimed to provide the strongest possible security and privacy protection for mobile phone users and also for operators and other parties providing Location Based Services and applications with A-GPS SIM technology.
For the first time, Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) security, including encryption, authentication and authorisation, has been used to control access to a GPS receiver and to the mobile phone location, resolving privacy and security issues, says BlueSky. In the A-GPS SIM, the USIM security processor acts as both a physical and logical firewall to the GPS receiver. This is claimed to provide 'unparalleled' security, ranging from access control and data encryption to data signature and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), to protect users and service providers.
"The new security feature is a key addition to our successful A-GPS solution, particularly in light of the recent developments in EU law with regards to 112 call tracking," added Velipekka Kuoppala, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BlueSky Positioning. "Our solution resolves security and privacy concerns for consumers which, in turn also appeals to the needs of operators and SIM vendors. As such, we have already seen a lot of interest in our technology from many of the industry's leading network operators and LBS application developers."
Not only are the security features important for consumers, says BlueSky, but they are also essential for LBS application developers and service providers as they offer a secure API for development, enabling simple and rapid integration of GPS and LBS services into any mobile handset on the market. The range of applications that can be offered with A-GPS SIM technology is vast – including generic Location Based Services such as navigation, ‘find a place or person' services or location-aware games.
One of the key benefits of A-GPS SIM technology is that it provides the accurate position of any phone that has been used to dial the emergency services, as required by E112 and E911 legislation in the EU and the U.S respectively. As a member of the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) Advisory Board, BlueSky Positioning says it is a leading supporter of bringing the technology to the mass market – ensuring emergency calls are tracked with precision.
"To adhere to the latest updates made to EU legislation concerning accurate caller location for 112 calls, it is crucial that companies and emergency service leaders work together to deploy solutions that will save thousands of lives throughout Europe," commented Gary Machado from the European Emergency Number Association (EENA).
BlueSky Positioning says its A-GPS SIM solution can be quickly and easily implemented into high and low-end handsets at very low cost – meeting mass market needs whilst giving operators the opportunity to offer advanced Location Based Services to customers with handsets that do not already integrate GPS capabilities.