New Mobile Phone Emergency Locator Based on PTV's Tracking&Tracing Platform
01 September 2006
Starting middle of September, the new "LifeService" provided by the Björn Steiger Foundation will help to locate mobile phones in case of an emergency. This new mobile phone locator service is based on advanced PTV technology that helps to speed up rescue services.
"PTV's tracking&tracing platform is a core component of the foundation's "LifeService" initiative. The free tracking&tracing service that locates people in emergency situations is another lifesaving milestone," says Piere-Enric Steiger, managing director of Björn Steiger Stiftung Service GmbH.
More than fifty per cent of the people who make an emergency call cannot tell the ambulance controller the exact location where the incident happened. This includes several million mobile phone calls each year. The Björn Steiger Stiftung Service GmbH solves this problem with its mobile phone locator service, using PTV technology. Tracking&tracing is based on GPS technology that is also used for navigation systems. It finds the exact location of the mobile phones and devices with built-in GPS modules.
How does mobile phone tracking work?
All mobile phone users will benefit from this new emergency call tracking service. If the ambulance controller receives an emergency call, the new platform allows the controller to immediately track the mobile phone via LBS (Location Based Services). This service finds the exact position of the mobile within the mobile phone network and the nearest rescue headquarters. The search result is displayed on a digital map. The software provides interfaces to the four German mobile network operators E-Plus, O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile. The mobile phone locator service is free for the caller.
Exact GPS tracking&tracing
In addition, as a registered user it is possible to exactly locate mobile devices with a built-in GPS module. For the free registration users just have to dial 0800-10 11 599.
The tracking&tracing platform converts the GPS coordinates of the mobile phone into a street address, displays the current location of the caller on a map and finds and alerts the rescue headquarters responsible for that area. It notifies the controller of the exact position of the incident, including address details. Thanks to PTV technology the rescue service resources are mobilised within a few seconds in response to an emergency call. The mobile phone locator service is always free for the caller.
