With the user's consent, the operator returns the area where the phone is located: a circle or polygon, along with the location timestamp.
The operator returns the circle's center latitude and longitude and a radius of 800 meters.
The response may also be a polygon defined by multiple latitude/longitude points.
The latest location is requested. The operator gets a fresh location and returns it.
A and BThe response gives an area rather than a single point. The operator determines the shape.
Set conditionsMaximum age of location data and maximum area size.
Location Retrieval: How it works
- Get consentThe user agrees to share their location.
- Network locationThe operator estimates the area where the phone is located using the network it is connected to.
- Return areaReturns a circular or polygon area and the location timestamp lastLocationTime.
Location Retrieval: API spec
POST /retrievedevice (phone number, etc.), maxAge (seconds, 0 = fresh location), maxSurface (square meters)| Response fields | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| area.areaType | Area shape: CIRCLE or POLYGON | CIRCLE |
| area.center/radius | Center latitude and longitude, and radius (meters) | 800 |
| area.boundary | Polygon vertices as latitude/longitude points | [{latitude, longitude}, …] |
| lastLocationTime | Last location time | 2026-10-13T10:41:00Z |
Responses for three scenarios (excerpts)
CIRCLECircle800Radius (meters)2026-10-14T10:41:00ZLast location timePOLYGONPolygon5 latitude/longitude pointsVertices defining the area2026-10-14T10:41:00ZLast location time0Request a fresh location2026-10-14T10:41:00ZLocation just updatedSpec source: CAMARA DeviceLocation r3.2 (Location Retrieval v0.5.0)
Location Retrieval: GSMA use cases
Autonomous debris collection
Problem to solveRemoving debris manually at airports and industrial sites takes effort and costs more. Poor network coverage can also cause delays.
Location Retrieval's roleStill locates devices when GPS is unavailable, such as indoors or in airport tunnels.
Used together: Quality on Demand
GSMA source ↗Enhanced airport perimeter security
Problem to solveAirport perimeters cover large areas. Cameras and sensors need enough bandwidth to detect intrusions and debris in real time.
Location Retrieval's roleStill locates devices when GPS is unavailable, such as indoors or in airport tunnels.
Used together: Quality on Demand
GSMA source ↗Intelligent baggage handling
Problem to solveMisrouted, delayed, and lost baggage increases costs and hurts the passenger experience.
Location Retrieval's roleStill locates devices when GPS is unavailable, such as indoors or in airport tunnels.
Used together: Quality on Demand
GSMA source ↗Vehicle Recycling Centre
Problem to solveAfter a vehicle is scrapped, its eSIM often remains active, creating risks of data leaks, unauthorized access, and regulatory violations.
Location Retrieval's roleVerifies that the vehicle is actually at the recycling facility.
Used together: SIM Swap, Number Recycling
GSMA source ↗Autonomous Airport Operations
Problem to solveManual coordination of airport ground vehicles, assets, and monitoring takes time and can cause delays during peak hours.
Location Retrieval's roleTracks the locations of autonomous vehicles and important assets in real time.
Used together: Quality on Demand, Location Verification, Simple Edge Discovery
GSMA source ↗First Responders
Problem to solveIn disaster zones or hazardous environments, rescuers face delays and risks when assessing damage and finding trapped people.
Location Retrieval's roleTracks drone locations in real time to coordinate the fleet.
Used together: Quality on Demand, Geofencing Subscriptions, Simple Edge Discovery
GSMA source ↗Fleet Management
Problem to solveRemote fleet management is inefficient and carries a risk of unauthorized use.
Location Retrieval's roleStill locates the vehicle when GPS or the vehicle’s connection is lost.
Used together: Geofencing Subscriptions
GSMA source ↗Remote vehicle operation (Teleoperation)
Problem to solveA shortage of skilled staff means a small number of experts need to remotely operate vehicles from a central location.
Location Retrieval's roleLocates remote vehicles, for example when GPS is unavailable or suspected to be spoofed.
Used together: Location Verification, Quality on Demand, Simple Edge Discovery
GSMA source ↗Remote monitoring and control
Problem to solveManaging remote operations is inefficient and carries high risks.
Location Retrieval's roleLocates assets, for example when GPS is unavailable or suspected to be spoofed.
Used together: Device Swap, Geofencing Subscriptions, Quality on Demand
GSMA source ↗Worker Safety Monitoring
Problem to solveMeets workplace safety regulations and prevents delays caused by inadequate on-site safety.
Location Retrieval's roleLocates workers, for example when GPS is unavailable or suspected to be spoofed.
Used together: Geofencing Subscriptions, SMS (sending text messages)
GSMA source ↗Smart Video Surveillance
Problem to solveDigitizes traditional wired surveillance systems cost-effectively.
Location Retrieval's roleLocates tracked assets, which may reveal security issues.
Used together: Connectivity Insights, Quality on Demand
GSMA source ↗Passenger Experience
Problem to solveMeets passengers’ varied needs to improve their travel experience.
Location Retrieval's roleTracks passengers’ locations to send real-time notifications about itineraries and delays.
Used together: Device Roaming Status, Quality on Demand, Carrier Billing
GSMA source ↗Asset Tracking and protection
Problem to solveLost, damaged, or misused assets cause financial losses and operational delays.
Location Retrieval's roleChecks whether an asset is in the specified area, as it may have been misplaced.
Used together: Device Swap, Geofencing Subscriptions
GSMA source ↗GSMA case studies (2)
Sources: GSMA Open Gateway Use Case Library and API Descriptions (accessed 2026-10-14). Descriptions are summaries.