By relying on location based services, otherwise referred as LBS, we're able to gain valuable information regarding regarding security and navigation. Location services are especially valuable for customizing networks for mobile users. LBS provider utilizes a combination of RFID, GPS data, and Wi-Fi to assist its clients.
Nowadays, individuals and companies are often targets of hackers. These malicious factors can pinpoint your geographic position and extrapolate location data for their own means. Even advertisers rely on global positioning systems to determine your location so they can spam you with annoying ads.
Telecom providers have to introduce robust security measures to ensure their users aren't harrassed. They also need to place emphasis on reliability so that users can access their location based apps at any time.
To deliver secure LBS, telecom providers utilize GMLC or Gateway Mobile Location Centers. These platforms are able to determine the exact location of a user without having to connect to the Internet. For the tech to work, GMLC has to request information from HSS (Home Subscriber Server) and HLR (Home Location Register).
LBS is vital for all sorts of mobile apps. The tech is utilized for asset tracking and wayfinding. Marketing companies use the concept to run their marketing campaigns by determining the user's current location.
The modern Wi-Fi providers are heavily reliant on various techniques and methodologies for their tracking services. Finding an access point, in particular, is vital as a reference point for client measurements. LBS is used in the following situations:
Having the ability to determine a mobile caller's location might seem like a nuisance for users. In the end, no one likes to be tracked by third-party organizations. Nevertheless, besides being used for marketing, location technology is essential for enhancing security, avoiding dangerous zones, and receiving assistance from emergency service providers.
Telecom providers utilize HLR and HSS as the main subscriber data repositories. They store this information within their IMS or LTE/EPC network cores. By having all this information within one and the same place, providers are able to streamline their daily activities while increasing the network efficiency.
Here's how the two differentiate from each other:
When providing location based services, telecom companies have to tackle enormous quantities of data. Having all these mobile devices under their wing requires a certain level of responsibility. To make sense of the overwhelming data, providers use HLR for storing and updating Google Maps and GPS data.
Here are a few benefits of this solution:
The thing that makes Titan.ium’s home location register stand out is the fact that it is an integral part of the SDM network. This digital solution is perfect for provisioning user data into ENUM, HSS, EIR, and HLR. Our HLR is supported by the TITAN CSRC (Centralized Signaling and Routing Control) platform.
Among other things, the Home Location Register is vital for different types of phone routing. For example, HLR will determine paths that would guide users' SMSs and calls. The location based technologies are also vital for protecting users' privacy through unique location settings.
Unlike HLR, which was primarily used for 2G and 3G, HSS is the dominant solution for modern 4G and 5G networks. Home Subscriber Server is able to immediately pinpoint users within a mobile network, thus providing real time tracking services.
These are the main reasons why you should use Titan.ium’s HSS solution:
The location based applications benefit from Diamater protocol technology. With this solution, telecom users can gain full data protection. Diameter protocol executes authentication processes so that external users can't hack into your info. HSS improved on the past HLR's access controls and privacy settings.
GMLC is a system that interacts with the provider's network and various commercial and emergency LCS (Location Services) clients. Its main goal is real time location tracking, that is, to find a customer's location at a point in time. Through its LRF, or Location Retrieval Function, the tech is able able to retrieve the information for the user.
The best thing about LBS is its flexibility. It has a high degree of integration for LCS clients. Modern law enforcement agencies use the tech on a daily basis. The solution is also vital for other emergency services, but also business entities, and various government agencies. By relying on a single access point, users are able to find GPS location and mobile device ID.
The GMLC is accessed by various clients that can be within or outside the network. A good example of these users is VAS applications. GMLC is in charge of locating and retrieving mobile device's location information for a person sending the request.
For additional security, the system double-checks whether this client is even allowed to make such a request in the first place. This is exactly why GMLC is so fantastic for government entities, as it gives them full data access while preventing access to most other users. Among other things, GMLC tasks is determine whether user equipment can even support the request in the first place.
Gateway Mobile Location Centers are present on two servers (at minimum), which ensures that the system is always working. The system is continuously monitored by the telecom provider's team, which makes maintenance a breeze. GMLC provides extensive data for the operator, making sure the person in charge can spot the slightest issues straight away.
To ensure full security for users' data, GMLC solutions rely on a two-way verification tech. It performs approval checks for each request that comes from LCS. GMLC works by determining which servicing node is in charge during a Location Services request. In order to fulfill this role, GMLC interacts with HSS/HLR/UDM to find out which node was being used.
PPR or Privacy Profile Register is a vital part of privacy management and fraud prevention framework. We use it as a main repository for storing users' privacy profiles. Given that each account outlines users' requirements and preferences, PPR has become invaluable for providing a customized telecom services.
PPR uses a standardized privacy profile format, which is essential for retaining consistency across the board. Utilizing a single universal format ensures compatibility when transferring data on different systems and devices. Standardization makes everything easier, as it prevents data errors while providing an excellent service for end users.
If you’re looking to boost privacy management in LBS, you should consider Titan.ium’s product. Our solution comes with powerful integrations, allowing you to get the most out of EIR capabilities. With it, Titan.ium’s clients are able to boost network performance, as well as network agility and reliability.
Through the use of this format, companies are able to simplify their compliance. PPR is crucial for handling private information according to each user's preferences and needs.
Telecom providers pay close attention to relevant legislation for their location based services. Each country and economic region has its laws that dictate how public and private information is handled. Perhaps the most notorious one is the GDPR, which ensures data safety within the European Union. Other relevant laws include India's DPDP and China's PIPL.
Each provider is responsible for analyzing these laws. Specifically, they must pay close attention to articles pertaining to data storage, processing, and collection. As telecom companies operate in different countries and regions, adhering to each local law becomes a tall task.
To tackle these issues, telecom businesses introduce new strategies and tech. Some work with local data centers, which automatically puts them in the compliance zone. Others work with governmental agencies to introduce international agreements that would ensure safe data usage on different continents.
Telecom companies have to deal with all sorts of fraud, including OBR, IRSF, and Wangiri fraud. The sheer number of options hackers have makes things difficult for businesses. Luckily, by implementing the following steps, enterprises manage to keep their heads above the water.
AI already has an enormous impact on improving location accuracy. Due to 5G's incredible speed, we're able to determine where a person is located at the exact moment. AI also plays a huge role in tracking users, but also predicting their future movements. These are three areas where artificial intelligence excels:
Modern telecom providers utilize various cloud-based tools to further improve the security of user data. For example, their frameworks rely on Privacy Enchancing Technologies and Privacy by Design. They might also utilize privacy APIs, which include Apple Core Location and Google Maps Platform.
Titan.ium provides top-tier protection for telecom companies. Given the high efficiency of their solution, Titan.ium is able to improve security and ensure complete data privacy.
Having a secure LBS is vital for real time user tracking. The technology is used in various situations, such as inventory monitoring, car navigation, store and service location, and so on. LBS is so important that some industries wouldn't be able to operate efficiently without this solution.
Out of all the different products on the market, Titan.ium stands out for its flexibility, reliance, and speed. Telecom companies can utilize the solution to find any person at any time with almost 100% accuracy.
What are you waiting for? Contact Titan.ium today and improve your telecom offering!