1.1. What are location-based services?

Let’s start with the basics. Everyone understands the concepts of paper maps, and ever more people know that electronic maps are now available on mobile devices. These initially simple maps have added layers of data, or points of interest, that allow users to see the location of stores, gas stations, and more. In so doing, these maps have become crude location-based services.

Typically you could define a location-based service as an information service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device.