• Stefano Ruffini - Expert, Research and Development, Ericsson

According to a research report (https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fbjj4c/location_based ), the Location Based Services (LBS) market is projected to grow from USD 22.18 billion in 2018 to USD 68.85 billion by 2023, during the forecast period (2018–2023). Most of the LBS offered by over-the-top companies rely on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) technology integrated in the end user device, which is inadequate for addressing critical applications (e.g., emergency handling, self-driving objects) or denied in certain environments (e.g., indoor, urban canyons). Technologies deeply integrated in the mobile network ecosystem may instead provide the required level of availability and accuracy.

Synchronization plays a key role in LBS as several positioning methods for mobile networks rely on accurate timing (e.g., OTDOA, Observed Time Difference of Arrival). In this context, the ongoing work within 3GPP will further enhance the achievable accuracy.
The project LOCUS (LOCalization and analytics on-demand embedded in the 5G ecosystem, for Ubiquitous vertical applicationS) recently started and will address some of the aspects related to accurate localization based on integration of 3GPP and non-3GPP technologies. The availability of an accurate and reliable timing reference at the 5G radio base stations opens the way for further opportunities that the deployment of 5G networks can offer. This research is funded within the frame of the H2020 EU Research and Innovation programme.

Authors: Stefano Ruffini (Ericsson); Andrea Conti (CNIT), Stefania Bartoletti (CNIT)