Location Based Services (LBS)

The integration of accurate, hand-held positioning signal receivers with personal electronic devices will bring Galileo services directly to individuals, fundamentally transforming the way we work and play.

The term “Location Based Services” (LBS) covers a broad range of applications triggered by the location of the end user or objects being tracked. LBS has been identified as the main initial market for Galileo in terms of the number of users and potential revenues.

  Dedicated positioning devices will be available for tourists or hikers, for amusement park and museum visitors, and even for shoppers in large shopping centres. To start with, LBS will include ‘Mobile Yellow Pages’ or ‘Proximity Services’, which provide users with locations of the nearest businesses. These may be linked to new advertising services, providing proximity-based information on available products and services. Positioning devices will offer a new dimension of security by locating stolen property, lost pets or individuals through third parties and security authorities.

Along these lines, Galileo will provide a global Search and Rescue (SAR) function based on the operational Cospas-Sarsat system. Galileo satellites will have transponders capable of transferring distress signals from user transmitters to a rescue coordination centre, who will initiate rescue operations.