Start-up company BlueSky Positioning is set to help mobile operators meet new European Union emergency call legislation, and could also help realise the promise of location-based services (LBS) across the wireless industry. Launching today, BlueSky Positioning new approach incorporates a highly accurate GPS receiver and proprietary antenna into the SIM card.

BlueSky Positioning has developed patent-pending technology and processes to embed Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) capability in the SIM card (USIM in the case of 3G handsets), with minimal impact on signal strength and battery life. BlueSky Positioning A-GPS SIM uses an assistance data server in the mobile network to reduce the location identification time (Time To First Fix) and increase accuracy, particularly within buildings and densely populated areas. By embedding this accurate location capability in the end-user (U)SIM, SIM card manufacturers can enable swift and effective rollout and compliance and faster emergency response times.

The A-GPS SIM can also enable the delivery of a whole new set of location-based services to the consumer without compromising their privacy. Operators can quickly build critical mass and benefit from the full revenue potential of accuracy-based LBS applications such as navigation, tracking, routing, personal security, and zone-based billing. A new handset costs anywhere between €100 and €500 plus.