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Cell networks triangulate a pretty accurate device location in order to connect you to the best cell towers for where you are. Also, the baseband processor in
by nitrogen 8y ago
Cell networks triangulate a pretty accurate device location in order to connect you to the best cell towers for where you are.
Also, the baseband processor in most phones runs its own code out of the control of the OS and has access to a ton of surprising stuff.
- mehrdadn 8y agoGPS != cell networks, and I'm asking what is actually happening, not for a hypothetical guess (which I can make too).
- packetized 8y agohttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_GPS https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_GPS
- ShorsHammer 8y agoThe article mentions it's aGPS which uses tower triangulation. But this would be requiring a data link back to the network provider I'd assume. In airplane mode it _shouldn't_ be sending that data. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
- TomVDB 8y agoaGPS has nothing to do with cell tower triangulation. With aGPS, the cell phones can download up to date GPS almanac from the tower instead of having to lock to GPS satellites to get it.
- nitrogen 8y agoRead the wikipedia page before downvoting the parent commenter, who was correct: "A-GPS augments that by using cell tower data to enhance quality and precision when in poor satellite signal conditions."
- TomVDB 8y agoFeel free to point out where the Wikipedia says that it helps with triangulation. (Hint: it does not.) The parent commenter explicitly write "A-GPS which uses triangulation". That is simply not true.
- nitrogen 8y agoNot a hypothetical guess. Carriers have access to location data from multiple sources and have been selling it. Some of those sources are combined with GPS in this particular case. Also you asked if carriers need a backdoor, which I answered: "Wouldn't that need a backdoor in the OS's GPS software/driver?" PS asking a question and berating any answer you don't like is not exactly optimal strategy for getting people to answer your future questions.
- kingosticks 8y agoThey obviously can calculate position, but it's not required for GSM handover. The BTS (cell tower) will broadcast the connection info about neighbouring towers and your device will report back the signal strength for each. The network can then make a decision if it needs to move you. This is known as Mobile Assisted Hand Over. The aim of the game here is maximising signal quality, which is not necessary the same as minimising position to a tower.