• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Tech Spirited

Tech Spirited

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Articles

GPS Cell Phone Tracking: How to Track a Cell Phone Location

A GPS cell phone tracker enables us to track the whereabouts of anyone under a standard set of conditions. It has come as a big relief for parents anxious about their away-from-home teenagers or bosses tracking their employees on a field visit.

You are here: Home / IT Jobs / GPS Cell Phone Tracking: How to Track a Cell Phone Location

Like it? Share it!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
GPS Cell Phone Tracking: How to Track a Cell Phone Location

A GPS cell phone tracker enables us to track the whereabouts of anyone under a standard set of conditions. It has come as a big relief for parents anxious about their away-from-home teenagers or bosses tracking their employees on a field visit.

Smart phone navigation

The need for a system which could locate a person was felt excessively after the 9/11 attack. The Global Positioning System or GPS is by far the most convenient technology that can be integrated easily in a mobile phone. All cell phone carriers in U.S. were required to integrate the tracking feature in their devices, by the end of 2005.

Would you like to write for us? Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Get in touch with us and we'll talk...

Let's Work Together!

This would have been possible only with a significant spending on infrastructure through tower setup and modifications. In order to avoid these extra costs, the cell phone operators came up with a plan to incorporate GPS technology in the handsets. These system led to a widespread popularity of the mobile phone tracking system, the details of which are explained below.

Using Gps On Smartphone

The GPS receiver that is taken along for a hiking trip is significantly different from what a mobile phone had ingrained in it. Most cell phones do not allow direct access to the collected GPS data. It is only in case of an emergency request that the associated GPS data is provided by the operator. The wireless network is actively involved in this process of specifically determining the location of the traced cell phone. Hence, the constraints faced in this tracking process are:

  • The traced device must have a cell that has GPS service activated in it at the time of tracking.
  • The operator network of the concerned cell phone must be tracked accurately and in use for locating the phone.
  • The wireless network containing the system in use must be identified.

However, once this technology is integrated in the phone, an anonymous tracer can also locate it, simply on the basis of the signals emitted from the phones.

The Mechanism

A cell phone is continuously sending and receiving signals to and from the nearest operator tower. Even in the standby mode, it is ‘active’ with the wireless communication. A GPS functionality is similar in operation to the GPS navigation tool, that one usually takes for remote outings. Thus, a cell phone can be tracked easily.

Both the CDMA- and GSM-technology-enabled cell phones can be tracked using a GPS system. The signals received from cell phones are located by the service provider by analyzing the signals. Initially, two or three towers nearest to the phone are located. These figures are then compared with regards to the relative strengths of their signals.

A complicated set of algorithms determine the tower under which, the cell phone signals are strongest. Using this method, it can be traced to within 100 meters of its exact place. This is a very handy service for locating a person (the cell phone user) in case, he is in danger or help track down a potential miscreant, terrorist and so on.

Legal and Privacy Issues

If these tracking systems can be used by everyone, it may result in the infringement or intrusion of an individual’s privacy. Therefore, it is important to understand the legal issues concerning the use of GPS cell phone tracking. The first rule to understand is that it is absolutely legal to run a reverse checkup in a directory to identify a person associated with the phone number that is traced. Simply by using a cell phone number, one can determine the person who may be a malicious caller or any such case.

GPS real-time tracking of a person is quite possible, by using certain software and hardware tools. But this process is absolutely illegal. Although, it may be able to trace the location of a person on a real-time basis, in case of an emergency, it can also benefit anti-social elements like stalkers or kidnappers. Therefore, real-time tracking is best dealt with, only by law enforcement officials and not ordinary users.

Would you like to write for us? Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Get in touch with us and we'll talk...

Let's Work Together!

Also, many companies provide their employees with a cell phone which may include GPS tracking. Therefore, adherence to a company’s policy also amounts to consenting to compromise one’s privacy. Certain precautions like regularly checking the device for malicious software, updating the features with the service provider and a decided tracking option with near and dear ones will ensure best use of this technology.

Related Posts

  • Things to Know Before Buying a New Cell Phone

    Cell phone once a luxury, is a necessity today. With a number of manufacturers present, it is necessary to know about cell phone features before you buy one.

  • Digital Phone Recorder Features

    If you are looking for a gadget to record the conversations on your phone, then you should opt for a digital phone recorder, which are far superior to cassette recorders.

  • How Does a Mobile Phone Work?

    The ubiquitous mobile phones have revolutionized the communication industry. But how does a mobile phone work? Want to know? Then read on.

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Category iconIT Jobs

Get Updates Right to Your Inbox

Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox.
Blog Updates

Exploring the website?

Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there!

Footer

We hope you are enjoying TechSpirited! We provide informative and helpful articles about the outlook for IT jobs throughout the U.S. Learn more about the career in IT you’ve always wanted, or find new tips to further your technology career.
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Copyright © Tech Spirited & Buzzle.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.