"Location" on my LG VX4500

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Here is the answer I received from Verizon when I asked if the E911 location
was implemented in my area, namely the New York City metro area. In a
nutshell they say that the GPS feature is not yet implemented...they can see
my phone number and tell what cell site I'm calling from, but no GPS
accuracy. Here's the actual reply:

Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website.

We appreciate your inquiry regarding the GPS (Global Positioning System)
locator chip in your wireless phone, and we are happy to assist you.

The GPS locator chip, which is present in all wireless phones we currently
sell, except the BlackBerry 6750, is used solely for tracking purposes by
Emergency 911 Services and does not function like a typical GPS device.

Verizon Wireless cannot guarantee that you will be systematically located
after dialing 911 from your wireless phone. In many places Public Safety
still relies on the caller's descriptions to locate those in need.
Enhancements to the Public Safety 911 system will make it possible for
Public Safety to read your callback number and to estimate your location.
However, given the many variables with wireless radio service, no design
will be perfect. There are three different phases that the FCC requires for
this service. We have listed them below for your convenience:

First: The FCC requires wireless carriers to provide Enhanced 911 call
identification capability when requested by each of the approximately 6,000
state/local PSAPs nationwide.

Second: The FCC's Phase I Enhanced 911 rules require wireless carriers to
automatically provide PSAP (Public Safety Answering Points) with the
telephone number of the 911 caller and the location of the cell site used to
originate the 911 call.

Third: Phase II Enhanced 911 rules requires wireless carriers to
automatically provide the telephone number of the 911 caller and far more
precise location information, within 50 to 100 meters in most cases.

The first two steps have been implemented, however the third step (Phase II)
is still in progress. Please note: The deployment of Phase II E911
capability is complicated because it requires improvements to the
capabilities of a number of parties -- vendors, wireless carriers, landline
carriers and PSAPs -- to succeed. Also, the customer must have a Verizon
Wireless GPS handset. Each party has to be absolutely certain that they are
capable of supporting the required service enhancement when necessary.
Verizon Wireless has devoted significant resources to upgrading its
nationwide network to be able to provide Phase II E911 service when
requested by Public Safety. Until such time when the PSAPs upgrade their
systems, calls made from E911-capable handsets to 911 call centers that are
not yet equipped, will still go through as usual. However, the 911 call
centers will not be able to read and use the GPS-generated location
information and may still need to rely on the caller to identify the
location of the emergency.