CPS Locates HP, ZTECPS Locates HP, ZTE

Cambridge Positioning Systems signs agreements with HP and ZTE to develop high accuracy location-enabled solutions and mobile handsets based on Matrix

February 23, 2004

4 Min Read

CANNES, France -- CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd) today announced joint efforts with HP aimed at enabling their mass-market high accuracy Matrix product to become part of the overall HP location solution.

This will mean Matrix can take advantage of HP world-leading platforms proven for the development and deployment of next generation voice, data and converged services. In particular the HP non-stop platform contributes high system availability at attractive total cost of ownership.

This exciting development takes advantage of OMA (Open Mobile Alliance, a standardisation body) Secure User Plane Location efforts that open up provision of mobile location technologies and reduce network deployment costs.

The HP LBS solution portfolio combines a suite of location enabled services, location-enabling infrastructure software, carrier-grade platforms, and services. HP partners with market leading location solution providers to deliver a comprehensive offering that addresses both the emergency and consumer-oriented services marketplace.

CPS Matrix technology has been proven in trials across the globe, with results confirming its unique capabilities: better than 100m accuracy, reliable coverage in all environments, and rapid location time-to-fix, all at low cost levels. The addition of User Plane capability to existing Control Plane solutions, will offer operators real choice in the way CPS’s Matrix product portfolio can be delivered across their networks.

CPS Chief Executive Chris Wade said: “Operators have told us they want flexibility and choice to help them deploy high accuracy location solutions. They also want very reliable and robust platforms with the integration and support services of an industry leader such as HP behind them.”

In a separate release:

ZTE Corporation, China’s largest publicly quoted telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited) today announce the signing of a major marketing and development agreement to deliver Matrix high accuracy location-enabled mobile handsets to the global GSM market.

The agreement, announced today at the 3GSM Congress in Cannes, represents a world first in the integration of CPS’s “user plane” Matrix software into a standardised GSM handset. ZTE is a significant handset supplier to the 260m-strong Chinese mobile market but also has a strategic ambition to expand globally beyond its current Asia Pacific, European and African market presence.

Matrix is a unique software-only solution that combines sub-100m accuracy with rapid location time-to-fix and consistent performance across outdoor and indoor environments – for less than $1 per subscriber. Until now, location-positioning information has been delivered over GSM using the “control plane” – the internal GSM signalling. Utilising the “user plane” - via IP over GPRS or SMS - operators can deploy the Matrix solution across networks from different equipment vendors in a transparent and seamless way. In turn, this leads to significant operational cost benefits.

This is in line with industry-wide moves, promoted by the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance), towards “open” standards, interoperability across all networks and devices and specifically a move from “control plane” to “user plane” solutions. Members of OMA include China Mobile, Vodafone, Texas Instruments, Intel and Nokia.

Matrix will be integrated into a range of ZTE terminals and handset products with further plans for joint marketing to operators worldwide for both 2G and 3G. Already, CPS is working on a number of high accuracy location trials with operators in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe that will benefit from this latest development. Initially, ZTE and CPS will focus their joint activities on the Chinese GSM market, where demand for cost-effective location technologies is growing rapidly.

“CPS is very experienced in core technology for wireless location service. And utilising ‘user plane’ will accelerate the commercial application of Matrix solution. We believe this location solution will have good foreground in future wireless market.” Said Tu Biqin, Vice General Manager of Handset Division, ZTE Corporation.

“In 2004, ZTE hopes not only maintain the rapid increase of mobile phone business, but also provide our customer with tailor-made mobile applications. The cooperation with CPS is part of effort to achieve this target.” Tu said.

CPS’ Chief Executive Chris Wade said: “This agreement represents a major step forward for operators worldwide seeking to exploit the huge potential for high accuracy location based services. We are delighted to be working with a major manufacturer with ambitious global plans, who share our vision of the criticality of location to new revenue generating services for operators.

“ZTE understand the importance of the need of low cost cost solutions to drive market take-up. By allowing Matrix to communicate via the user plane in addition to the control plane – in line with OMA’s strategy for industry open standards – we have made this a reality.”

Cambridge Positioning Systems (CPS)

Hewlett-Packard Co.

ZTE Corp.

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