my.plan location services

Intro

One of the highlights of my.plan is the location services.

Using connectivity data from mobile masts, you can stay connected with your team or remote workforce, both in the UK and abroad.

The level of detail and insight varies depending on the user’s my.plan package, as well as technical factors that affect how location data is generated.

This page provides an overview of my.plan’s location services, the technical aspects that support them, and how often location updates occur.

How is location determined?

A device’s location is calculated by gathering information from the mobile cell towers it connects to when using mobile data*.

If we are unable to calculate a precise location due to limited cell tower data, the device’s position is estimated using the last known information combined with anonymised data from other plan.com services connected to the same tower.

If no cell tower data is available, the device will be shown in the centre of the country in which it is located.

*Restrictions apply, which are outlined in this document.

Get best experience from my.plan location services

There are a variety of scenarios and network conditions that can affect how a service’s location is determined and how often it is updated.

How are service location determined in my.plan?

1. Polygon of location based on connected cellular tower

This method estimates a device’s location based on the mobile cell tower it is connected to. The location shown represents the general area where a device is likely to be, rather than an exact position.

The location is displayed on the map as an approximate area, indicating where the service is most likely located based on available network information. The marker shown is an estimate and does not represent a precise device location.

Because this method relies on network data, accuracy can vary. In some cases, the device may be outside the area shown, particularly in less densely populated locations or where limited network information is available.

2. Location Area Code (LAC) provided by the network

1. In the instances where we do not have a polygon for a service or the cell tower data is not provided, we will show the LAC that the service is within
2. The LAC in which the service is located is provided by the network and can be quite large, often covering hundreds of miles.

3. Country based on connected mobile network

1. If we are not able to obtain the connected tower location, Application tracking data or LAC, then we fall back to the country in which the service is located
2. As a user travels, their device will connect to a variety of networks. When we receive Call Detail Records (CDRs), we receive information about the network and country. We use this to determine the country in which the service is located.
3. If we have a LAC for the service but it is over 100 miles in radius, as measured from the top left corner to the centre of the area, we will ignore the LAC and only show the country location in the plan interface.

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How do my.plan packages affect the location that is show in the my.plan platform?

Regardless of the package level (Essential, Gold, Platinum), we collect data at the highest resolution possible for each service in accordance with the hierarchy listed above.

We use the my.plan package levels to determine the accuracy of the location that we display to the user in the my.plan map interface as described below:

Platinum connections

1. Within the UK – We display street-level location based on available network data. If a service has not connected to a cellular tower recently, the accuracy may reduce.
2. Outside the UK – We display an approximate location based on the connected non-domestic network.

Gold connections

1. Within the UK - Location is shown at county level based on network data. If this cannot be determined, we default to country-level location.
2. Outside the UK – Country-level location only.

Essential connections

1. Within the UK – Location is shown at country level based on network data.
2. Outside the UK – Country-level location is always shown.

How often are locations updated in my.plan?

Location updates are dependent on network activity and the method used to determine location.

For services using mobile data on the plan.com APN, location updates occur as data is transmitted. Each data session provides updated cell tower information, allowing the map to refresh as the service moves.

For services not connected to the APN, location updates are received via Call Detail Records (CDRs). This method is less frequent and may be delayed, particularly when roaming.

Locations obtained through network-based methods are typically refreshed every 15 minutes but may be delayed by up to 15 minutes depending on network conditions.