News
Issue #2002 - 43 (November 2002)
(Updated Nov. 13, 2002)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

New E-OTD Development Delivers FCC E-911 2003 Compliance Today

A MAJOR step towards enabling E-OTD technology meet the FCC's E-911 accuracy requirements for October 2003 was announced recently by Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd (CPS).

The news follows an FCC filing earlier this week by T-Mobile and its network equipment vendor partners that highlighted a range of new initiatives to improve location accuracy. Confirming that the FCC's October 2002 accuracy requirements had now been met, T-Mobile also announced plans to speed E-OTD deployment with new network upgrades and equipment rollouts.

As part of this industry-wide push, CPS today filed with the FCC details of new E-OTD test results that show substantially improved location accuracy. In field trials, carried out recently, CPS delivered accuracy performance of 46m (67% of the time) and 92m (95%) - well within the FCC's October 2003 requirement of 50m/67% and 150m/95%.

The trial involved a citywide technology deployment including a range of urban, suburban and rural environments. Similar techniques have been evaluated in two US deployment sites confirming similar significant accuracy improvements. Further trials will be carried out within the E-OTD Industry Forum - made up of global equipment vendors - as part of an industry-wide initiative to meet the FCC E-911 mandate.

CPS Chief Executive Chris Wade said: "With 2002 accuracy levels met, the E-OTD industry is now focused on the 2003 requirement. It is clear we are making real progress. The tremendous levels of activity are now translating into agreed tangible improvements that will help us achieve our collective
goal.

"Our new initiative will now go into deployments in the US for further testing. This is one of a number of technical initiatives the E-OTD industry is working on. It again highlights the major benefits of a standardised solution for GSM - we can move rapidly as an industry to make cost-effective improvements which can be applied globally."

About CPS:
Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited (CPS) is the key enabler for high accuracy location in the GSM wireless world. Its innovative E-OTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference) technology allows network operators to develop new services that improve the safety of their customers and deliver profitable
applications.

For more information: http://www.cursor-system.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: There have been claims and denials on the issue of E-OTD's ability to meet FCC requirements for accuracy. BWCS, a market research firm had refuted CPS's earlier claim that it had met FCC Phase one requirements. CPS vigorously denied that claim. We do not want to get into this muddle except to say that truth is somewhere in the middle. The news item is a public relations effort from CPS. We must remember that E-OTD is only one method of meeting E911 requirements. There are other methods of determining location as well. GPS gives the most accurate location but it is an expensive solution and requires a new handset.  On the other hand, PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) are not ready to receive these calls. In fact, PSAPs are behind their private sector counterparts in doing their part in the overall scheme of things. We must pull all the parties together in a cohesive fashion to solve an important public safety problem.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of Securities Exchange act of 1934 in USA. Similar provisions exist in other countries. There is no assurance that the stipulated plans of vendors will be implemented. MobileInfo does not warrant the authenticity of the information. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.