February 04, 2004

By: Yen Hung
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

QUALCOMM applauds end of selective availability for GPS

QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today endorsed the decision by the president to discontinue the policy, known as Selective Availability, of intentional degradation of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. This decision reinforces the support for GPS as the technology of choice for public safety and commercial applications, and will further promote the broad commercial use of GPS by businesses and consumers around the world. In addition, the decision will provide the means for U.S. wireless carriers to meet the FCC\'s E9-1-1 wireless safety mandate.

A White House official pointed out that GPS could become the method of choice for implementing enhanced emergency calling services for cellular phone users, stating that: \"The FCC will soon require that all new cellular phones be equipped with more accurate location determination technology to improve responses to emergency 9-1-1 calls. Removing Selective Availability will boost the accuracy of GPS to such a degree that it could become the method of choice for implementing the 9-1-1 requirement. A GPS-based solution might be simpler and more economical than alternative techniques such as radio tower triangulation, leading to lower consumer costs.\"

Enhanced wireless 9-1-1 is a critical issue today for wireless phone users. In the U.S., more than 100,000 wireless 9-1-1 calls are made every day by people in need. Because they\'ve been injured or are lost or confused, some 40 percent of callers using wireless phones are unable to tell a dispatcher their location. GPS-enabled cellular phones could solve this problem and help millions of wireless users.

Also See: wireless cell phone companies.

Author Notes:

Yen Hung contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.