Location Independent Service

Description

A Location Independent Service is a telecommunications service that is available and can be activated anywhere within the network coverage, regardless of the user's location. It is provided either by a teleoperator or a third-party service provider. The service is activated by the user's request or by another user's activated service, and therefore it requires a subscription in advance (pull type). The offered service itself can be any kind of service, such as Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Software Download (SWDL), or Location-Based Service (LBS). This term is defined in 3GPP specifications 23.171 and 23.271.

The concept of Location Independent Service is important in the context of location services (LCS) because it contrasts with location-dependent services, which are only available or relevant in specific locations. Location Independent Services are ubiquitous and can be accessed from any location where the user has network coverage. This makes them suitable for services that are not tied to a particular geographic area, such as messaging, content download, or general information services.

Architecturally, Location Independent Services are supported by the core network, which manages service activation, subscription, and delivery. The service may be hosted by the operator or by a third party, and it may leverage various network capabilities, including location services, to enhance the user experience. For example, an LBS might use the user's location to provide targeted content, but the service itself is available everywhere.

The activation of a Location Independent Service typically involves a request from the user or from another service. The network authenticates the user and checks the subscription to ensure that the service is authorized. Once activated, the service is delivered through the appropriate bearer, which may be a circuit-switched or packet-switched connection, depending on the technology and release.

The term was introduced in R99 and has been maintained in subsequent releases with minimal changes. The definition was slightly reworded in Rel-5, changing 'a service provided' to 'service provided', but the meaning remained the same. This stability reflects the fundamental nature of the concept, which is not tied to specific technologies and remains relevant in 5G and beyond.

Purpose & Motivation

The Location Independent Service concept exists to categorize services that are not restricted by the user's location, distinguishing them from location-dependent services. It solves the problem of defining and managing services that are available everywhere, ensuring that users can access them regardless of where they are. This is important for service providers to design and market their offerings effectively.

Before this term was defined, there was no clear distinction between services that required location information and those that did not. The introduction of Location Independent Service provided a framework for understanding and implementing services that are ubiquitous, such as messaging and content download. It also helped in the development of location services by clarifying which services could benefit from location information and which could not.

The term also facilitates subscription management, as it implies that the service requires a subscription in advance. This allows operators to control access and charge for the service appropriately. Overall, the Location Independent Service concept is a foundational element in the taxonomy of telecommunications services.