WiFi Development for LBS Usage

Description

The demand for on demand information / services is increasing as a result of increasing mobility. Since GPS signals can not reach indoor areas there are new initiatives started to offer LBS via WiFi technology. Besides that is GPS still not accurate. It has a accuracy with a deviation of seven meters. Another main issue of GPS is its disability to calculate the distance vertically. The accuracy of the position is also highly dependent on the quality of the used maps. The major disadvantage of GPS is the fact that its availability in indoor areas is minimum and as since the majority of people are spending their time inside buildings all the LBS miss their target.

Enablers

• Changing life style: The changing life style of becoming more flexible and mobile has increased the demand for more “on the spot” services. The time pressure on people’s live will enforce them to use their time as efficient as possible. Besides that people are willing to pay for creating comfort.
• Experience with WiFi: WiFi is already all around of us. Almost everyone has experience with WiFi technology and is broadly accepted and used by the major companies.
• Existing infrastructure: The required infrastructure to enable LBS through WiFi is already existing. There might be more antennas required to increase the availability of LBS through WiFi.
• Cheaper in comparison with Galileo: The Galileo project has cost billions of euros. LBS can be offered via relatively cheaper WiFi which will make the service offering also cheaper. Besides that is WiFi project less riskier.
• Existence of standards: Within IEEE there are already standards defined which guarantees a certain quality and availability.
• The WiFi signals availability is both indoor and outdoor and the positioning is very accurate.

Inhibitors

• There are less companies who believe in developing WiFi technology for LBS usage
• The huge charming offensive of European Union regarding Galileo and its possibility has put WiFi opportunities out of sight
• The availability of the signal in open areas is still a challenge
• There are no current instant payment systems. A lot of people are not willing to subscribe for a lot of services. In the urban areas in which there might be eight LBS providers people are not willing to subscribe for eight different providers.

Paradigm

• The majority of people have experienced WiFi or at least have heard of it
• The WiFi technology is broadly accepted by academics and companies
• The quality of the services offered are good from technological point of view
Experts Mobile Networks, Sun, Intel, IEEE