[June 14, 2011]

Polaris Wireless OmniLocate Platform Offers Carrier-Grade Reliability and Privacy Safeguards

Polaris Wireless, the global leader in high-accuracy, software-based wireless location solutions, today announced the carrier-grade reliability and privacy safeguards of its OmniLocate universal location platform, which network operators and government agencies rely on to enable public safety, surveillance, and other location-based services. The company stated that "it has always been the policy of Polaris Wireless to protect user location information behind the security of the mobile operator's wireless network. The OmniLocate solution does not now, and has never, enabled location information to be retained within the mobile device, where it is subject to hacking and other potential compromise."

This statement addresses recent industry speculation following the revelation that Apple (News - Alert) and Google have tracked user location information, and those companies' subsequent appearance (alongside Facebook) last month at a hearing of the Senate Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance Subcommittee focusing on "industry practices with respect to online mobile data collection and usage." Media and consumer advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the practice of storing mobile subscriber location information within a file residing on the device jeopardizes subscriber privacy and exposes this information to hacking.

"Because OmniLocate is network-based and does not rely on any device-generated location method, all sensitive subscriber location information resides in the wireless operator network, where it is protected by carrier-grade security using standards-based technology," said Jan Johansson, Polaris Wirelessdirector of product management. "Polaris Wireless has worked diligently to gain the trust of our customers in the telecommunications industry and in government, and boasts a 100% security record for subscriber mobile location information we produce."

OmniLocate is a universal wireless location platform, providing location capabilities across 2G (GSM/CDMA), 3G (UMTS/WCDMA), and emerging 4G (LTE) air interfaces, as well as indoor technologies such as Wi-Fi, DAS, and Femtocells (News - Alert). OmniLocate incorporates patented Polaris Wireless Location Signatures (Polaris WLS^TM) technology, which determines device location by comparing radio measurements reported by the wireless device against those in a comprehensive radio environment database. The result is the most accurate, most reliable location performance of its type. Polaris WLS can be deployed in conjunction with other location methods, such as A-GPS, Enhanced Cell-ID, and Cell-ID, in both hybrid and fallback scenarios, and thus is able to locate any device in any environment, even in urban areas and indoors.

Added Johansson, "OmniLocate is the only location platform wireless network operators will ever need to deploy, as it meets their current and future needs for both mission-critical applications like E911 as well as revenue-enhancing location-based services such as mobile advertising."

OmniLocate avoids the cost and complexity associated with hardware-based location alternatives. Polaris Wireless provides its customers regular product enhancements and updates, and 24/7 technical and operational support to optimize performance of its solutions.

About Polaris Wireless

Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Polaris Wireless is the global leader in providing high-accuracy, software-based wireless location solutions to wireless operators, law enforcement/government agencies and location-based application companies. Since 2003, Polaris has successfully deployed its patented, software-based, high-accuracy location solutions to over 20 wireless operators to meet FCC (News - Alert) E911 Phase II requirements in the US. The company has also deployed high-accuracy location surveillance applications for customers in Asia and EMEA. Polaris Wireless has offices in Dubai, U.A.E., Bangalore, India, Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile.

Polaris Wireless is the recipient of the prestigious Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) "2011 Enabling Technology of the Year" award, recognizing the company's accomplishments and leadership in developing location solutions. The company participates in location committees and other groups within the 3GPP and OMA standards setting bodies, and also participates in regulatory and industry bodies related to E911, lawful location surveillance, and location-based services. Polaris Wireless is located at 301 North Whisman Road, Mountain View, CA (News - Alert) 94043 USA. For more information about Polaris Wireless, please visit http://www.polariswireless.com.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]