Tata Tele launches 'A-GPS' – but only for Indicom subscribers

21 April 2009

Tata Teleservices Ltd, India's fifth largest mobile service provider in terms of subscribers, on Monday launched its 'Quickfinder A-GPS' (assisted global positioning system) service, a location-based service. This is different from the GPS service provided by other operators, as it does not require an antenna signal and can also be used as a tracking device.

''Our new technology offers greater accuracy and real-time access. The A-GPS service will use the most advanced positioning methodology to provide users with precise position information, even inside buildings and structures,'' said Tata Teleservices managing director Anil Sardana after launching the service in New Delhi.

'Quickfinder' will deliver advanced location-based services, enabling consumers and enterprises to pin-point locations of interest or track vehicles and consignments from origin to destination in real time. The service is powered by Qualcomm's 'Qpoint' solution and 'gpsOne' technology integrated into Qualcomm chipsets.

Initially, Tata Tele is launching Quickfinder in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Ahmedabad, apart from Delhi. However, it will only be available to Tata Indicom subscribers.

''Qualcomm is pleased to collaborate with Tata Teleservices for the launch of Quickfinder A-GPS service, which is an industry first,'' Kanwalinder Singh, senior vice-president of US-based Qualcomm Inc and president of Qualcomm India and South Asia, said.

''As a technology partner, we also have extended our support towards network deployment, integration and end-to-end validation on Tata Teleservices' robust CDMA network to ensure accurate location services for the Indian market,'' he added.