SIMply-A-GPS From Sagem Orga [Assited GPS SIM card]

Sagem Orga has developed what it claims to be the world’s first assisted GPS SIM card; the card is based on technology, which includes a proprietary In-SIM antenna, developed by BlueSky Positioning.The card is an incredible piece of engineering that carries the GPS receiver, antenna and application software. Embed it in any ordinary handset and GPS-enable the device.

The handset recognizes the A-GPS subsystem as a a SIM/USIM toolkit application. The A-GPS SIM card is compliant with GSM and 3G standards and it therefore does not require any additional software to work with legacy GSM and 3G handsets. Support for JSR177 and JSR 179 will allow applications on the phone to access the GPS on the SIM card. All-in-all it is a great idea that enables users to benefit from GPS at a very low cost as compared to the cost of a new GPS-enabled phone. Assisted GPS data servers improve the service’s ability to provide accurate information on the location on the handset owner’s position. It also allows mobile operators to provide emergency E112 and E911 services and thereby comply with EU and US legislations on emergency call services.