Method of providing location based information to a mobile terminal within a communications network

1. A method of providing location based information to a mobile terminal within a communications network comprising the steps of:

interrogating a component of the communications network to determine the location of a mobile terminal within the communications network;

repeating the above process a number of times over a data acquisition period;

generating, from the repeated determinations of the location of the mobile terminal within the communications network, a location profile of time-logged locations for the mobile terminal wherein the location profile of time-logged locations includes segments, and wherein each segment comprises a series of time-logged locations;

storing the location profile of time-logged locations remotely of the mobile terminal; and

providing location based information to the mobile terminal, during a data prediction period which is subsequent to the data acquisition period, in response to the location of the mobile terminal predicted by using the stored location profile of time-logged locations, wherein the mobile terminal

determines its position independently of the location of the mobile terminal predicted by using the stored location profile of time-logged locations,

downloads segments of the location profile of time-logged locations to thereby acquire the predicted location stored remotely from the mobile terminal, and

compares the independently determined position and the predicted location to validate the location predicted by using the stored location profile of time-logged locations; and

wherein if the predicted location of the mobile terminal is not validated, then an exception is declared and if the number of exceptions is greater than a predetermined threshold number, then at least a part of the location profile of time-logged locations is regenerated.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the component of the communications network is a GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre).

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the communications network is a cellular communications network and the mobile terminal determines its position with reference to a Cell Id of the cell in the network within which the mobile terminal is located.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile terminal is enabled with a satellite positioning system to determine its own position.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a fresh location profile of time-logged locations is established for the mobile terminal upon request.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a fresh location profile of time-logged locations is established for the mobile terminal after a predetermined time period.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein use of the stored location profile of time-logged locations mimics interrogation of the component of the communications network used to determine the location of a mobile terminal within the communications network.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the location based information is pushed to the mobile terminal.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the location based information comprises a location based service.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the stored location profile of time-logged locations contains location information for the mobile terminal over a set time period.

11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein analysis techniques are used on the location information to enhance the location profile of time-logged locations.