Locate Cell Phone Users – Lost And Found

Municipal authorities, looking for ways to fund new technology that will help emergency services locate cell phone users, are considering using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to make it possible to locate a cell phone user who dials 911.

Cities and counties across the United States are upgrading their 911 systems with the GPS technology. Without GPS, the location of cell phone users is a hit and miss proposition. The location of a cell phone user is mainly determined by the tower where the call came from and dispatchers are able to determine the general direction and the approximate distance from that tower.

Using GPS technology a of cell phone user is located using the longitude and latitude of their location. In other words, EMTs and firefighters would be able to pinpoint the exact location of the cell phone user within 20-40 feet. It looks like about twenty-four states will have the GPS upgrades installed by the end of this year.

Everyone agrees that it’s important to find people in emergency situations, however, cash-strapped governments are not able to fund the new technology. Many municipalities are passing the costs on to cell phone users like you. In some areas of the country, monthly surcharges are already being added to cell phone bills.

Also see; free cell phones.

Author Notes:

Jack Adams contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.cell-phones-n-plans.com. A cellular phone industry resource that features service plan comparisons, cellular phone reviews and articles.