June 11, 2004

By: Graham Millard
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

SK Telecom Launches GPS cellular phone Emergency Calling Service

- Subscribers can send their current location information in a text message with map to close friends, relatives, or response personnel who are registered on their cellular phones.

- This service allows the other parties to identify a callers' location for up to 48 hours after the receipt of an emergency call.

- The service use is free of charge for GPS function-enabled handset holders SK Telecom has been introducing a variety of converged services such as mobile banking, home networking, mobile broadcasting, etc. by using advanced mobile communications technology.

Starting on April 23, the company initiated a GPS Emergency Calling Service (named 'Phone Bodyguard Service') that is based on global positioning system (GPS) technology.

When an emergency situation occurs, this service allows a subscriber to have conversations with up to four people at the same time, by pressing the GPS emergency button. This will contact close friends, relatives, or response personnel who are registered to his or her cellular phone.

Moreover, the subscriber is allowed to send his/her current location information in a text message with map to the above four people, in any emergency situation.

In addition to the callers' current location information, this service allows the other parties to identify the callers' location for 48 hours after the receipt of an emergency call. For instance, if your children or senior parents lose their way while on the move, you can determine their current location if their cellular phone is turned on.

Unlike existing base station-based Location Information services, this service lets subscribers determine the detailed location of callers, by offering a GPS-based digital map through a satellite. In addition, the GPS Emergency Calling Service helps prevent emergency situations such as missing children, or kidnappings.

SK Telecom expects that women, children, and senior people will be the first groups to use this service. Therefore, the company plans to connect this service to the network of auto insurance companies, taxi companies, and rent-a-driver companies.

Only GPS function-enabled handset holders are allowed to use this service. The customers can activate the service by pressing button number 9 or GPS button on their handsets, and follow the voice guidance from ARS. They can also subscribe to the service by connecting to the NATE homepage (http://soscall.nate.com).

The service use is free of charge, but when customers download a map or re-identify the current location of callers, SK Telecom charges 80 won per one time information use. The company also charges for emergency calls.

The number of people registered to the cellular phone for emergency contact cannot exceed four. All domestic cellular service subscribers can use this service. However, if the contact persons belong to another cellular service provider, they can only receive the callers' text message for emergency contact.

SK Telecom subscribers are able to receive a map that shows the callers' location, as well as re-location information of a caller, for 48 hours after the receipt of an emergency call.

Among GPS-enabled handsets that were launched prior to April 2004, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics' handset model users are allowed to make emergency calls for only 30 seconds.

Furthermore, they can register their contact persons only through the NATE site (http://soscall.nate.com).

Also See: Motorola cellular phone.

Author Notes:

Graham Millard contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  A source for info and tips for the cellular phone industry featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phones and service plans.