What Is a Cell Phone Tracking System?
A cell phone tracking system involves the use of a cell phone to track a person. Those conducting the tracking can use the features on a cell phone to obtain a physical location for the person carrying the cell phone. Typically, a cell phone tracking system is associated with GPS, cell phone towers, E911 capabilities, pings, and the ‘location on/off’ feature, all of which contribute to disclosing the carrier's location.
If a cell phone has a GPS, this is one method that can be useful in order for a phone to serve as a cell phone tracking system. A GPS or Global Positioning System installed on your cell phone is a feature that receives a signal from a government satellite to give directions, determine the location of the device or of the person who has it. The system may use ‘pings’ which are a systematic occurrence of rings/dings, or the concept of triangulation which uses two visual landmarks to close in on a location.
Generally, the GPS feature or the device is not able to send out signals, it can only receive them. In order for the device to use the GPS function, it must at least contain a GPS receiver and a cell phone modem. However, GMS or Global System for Mobiles is a cell phone tracking system that uses the signals between two of the nearest cell phone towers to disclose the device’s location.
Emergency telephone services, or 911, also use a cell phone tracking system. With any 911 call from a cell phone, the call is automatically routed to what is known as an Public Safety Answering Point considered as a police, rescue or fire emergency service. Once an individual calls 911, contact information is activated to assist emergency personnel.
Although most emergency telephone systems are equipped with upgraded E911 features, there are some that are not. The purpose of this upgrade is to accurately network with the cell phone system in order to process a 911 call location. Without it, emergency personnel are still able to close in on an emergency location using a cell phone tracking system with pretty good accuracy.
The ‘Location On/Off’ is often overlooked because it is a feature that usually benefits the cell phone company. However, this feature also enables cell phone tracking. However, using this location on/off feature can only function as a cell phone tracking system with the help of the cell phone company.
When the location on/off feature is on, the cell phone company is able to immediately disclose the whereabouts of the phone and the owner. When the feature is off, location and other information can still be disclosed, but with delay. This feature can also assist with quickly locating emergencies, and it is not accessible by anyone who wants to know your whereabouts.
Written by Alexis W.
