Mobile positioning: soon in MTS

Positioning System User (AOP) is available to subscribers of MegaFon network in Moscow for six months already, now something similar will be put into test operation in the MTS network expected in the fourth quarter of this year. Hardware and software systems are adjusted and tuned, but many projects already in operation. We managed to register in the system (thanks for helping Department of telematic services MTS ")," twist "menu / command and appreciate the convenience and functionality. I am pleased to share some preliminary estimates.

Some information about the future of the portal of mobile positioning can be obtained from a press release, web-portal interface looks quite comfortable and well structured. Unfortunately, web-site is still in the process of filling the content and open access.

Today let's talk about the mobile positioning specific subscriber via SMS-phone interface. As this function may call ("Family Circle", "Find Friends", etc.), its essence remains unchanged: from one mobile phone system routes the request to determine the coordinates of the other phone, the response (or denial) will be delivered in the form of requesting SMS-messages. Comparison with the systems already MegaFon suggests, they are functionally very similar. MegaFon the system we have described in detail further on March 15, the day of its commercial launch. Those who have not read recommend reading as repeating a description of the principles of operation and the overall structure makes no sense.

The first question asked by the user future - positioning accuracy of the object. Accuracy depends primarily on the number of base stations in the area, ie in the city center is high enough in the suburbs is much worse (a few hundred meters) outside of Moscow - up to kilometers. According to the experience of using the system in MegaFon is a common mistake not to the city center is about 200-500 meters, which in principle can be considered satisfactory for domestic use. Positioning of Moscow MTS network in theory should be more accurate than in MegaFon due to a larger number of base stations.

In mobile positioning system, MTS management is more complicated. You must first register with a specific name length from three to eleven characters, why - it becomes clear when, together with confirmation of registration comes an invitation to subscribe to SMS-chat. Operator can understand, more SMS-ok - more revenue per subscriber, but in this case would be to separate the "flies from cutlets" and did not get to touch nicknames to whom chats completely useless.When you first try to seek the position even a registered user on his phone are notified, you want to reply within the hour, sending a specified combination. Then it is desirable to produce a cross to add each other to the list of "friends", after which the coordinates can be determined.

On assurances of technical experts in the MTS system, there are several (three?) Levels of protection for confidential information: the unconditional authorization of coordinates without any request / confirmation (useful for tracking a child or a beloved spouse) before issuing the coordinates only upon receipt of a separate agreement for each query.

The proposed menu looks promising. To probe did not, but in principle with the functions of all clear and the potential of encouraging.

• GDE - find out where each
• KOGDA - learn more about their appearance
• KUDA - learn about how to move
• KTO - requesting a list of coordinates
• LIST - Friends

But this is obviously not all the possibilities. Even judging from the content received SMS-message with the coordinates, the system provides the option to send a fragment of the map to the address of email - a very useful feature in a strange city, and may be useful in the home Monday morning. Surely there are other useful functions, looks forward to the start of operation of the system.

On the web-portal, reports and queries are constantly heard the word "friend", "friends", "list / search for friends." In conjunction with the informal appeal system to "you" can make a conclusion about the positioning of the service on the market: an explicit calculation at youth group, and hangouts. Hopefully, and prices for this service will meet positioning. Representatives of MTS firmly promised free trial service free operation for a certain period of time, so that will have the opportunity to try it and evaluate positioning accuracy in different conditions.