Concept Wireless Is Granted License to Provide GPS Services in Shandong, China - Brief Article

Wireless Internet, August, 2001

Concept Wireless announced that a provincial license has been granted to Concept's Chinese joint venture company to provide global positioning satellite services in the Shandong province in the People's Republic of China.

This is the first official license to be granted for GPS services in Shandong province, and as such, Concept will enjoy a head-start advantage in bringing this technology into the marketplace. Demand for GPS services are on the rise worldwide and this project provides tremendous new opportunities for the company in the continuing development of its wireless businesses in China.

GPS services are based on sophisticated wireless technology that employs a system of 24 orbiting satellites and terrestrial monitoring infrastructures to accurately track and locate air, marine, and ground vehicles with pin point accuracy. The US government originally developed the GPS technology for military purposes. Today, through research and development along with miniaturization of equipment, the costs have become sufficiently inexpensive for widespread commercial usage. Substantial economic benefits can be derived from the utilization of GPS services and on a global basis, it is projected to become a $25 billion industry by 2005.

Location, navigation, and tracking are some of the more common applications of the GPS technology. The main market sectors are delivery services (couriers, mail, armored tucks, etc.), private vehicle owners, commercial trucking and ocean fleets, car rental and taxi companies, law enforcement and emergency response units. GPS services help to provide for effective and efficient asset management, safety, and security against theft.

One of the primary GPS services is the tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles. Last year in the US, vehicle thefts resulted in a $8 billion loss to insurance companies and owners.