[LINK] Unholy MOLI

richard@auscoms.com.au richard@auscoms.com.au
Mon, 05 Jun 2000 13:20:04 +1000


Roger,
(Not carrying a mobile, I don't have to worry. Go on, Mister Marketer, try and
find me!).

Some ACIF documents regarding MoLI:

1) From ACIF's document list:
http://www.acif.org.au/ACIF/display/metapublist.cfm?page_id=5706&source=482
We find that MoLI "describes the requirement for a set of parameters and
procedures for exchange of mobile location information between operating
carriers *at a point of interconnect.*" (my asterisks).  

2) Take a look at the PDF which outlines signalling interface information:
http://www.acif.org.au/ACIF/files/G526.pdf
Which includes the restriction that:

"Location information ... is intended for call processing and service access
control within carrier networks only. The information is not to be propagated to
access networks or customer premises equipment."

3) There's also:
http://www.acif.org.au/ACIF/files/G527.pdf
More tech specs...including this:
"Recommendations made in this Stage 3 Description are based on the following
requirements:
[snip]
* Exchange of location information at the time of call establishment only;
* No interrogation of location information if not available as part of a call;
* No requirement to update location information as a result of mobile location
update.
[snip]"
(and it repeats the restriction above).

4) There's also:
http://www.acif.org.au/ACIF/files/G532.pdf
which deals with using MoLI to ensure that 1800 numbers are sent to the right
place. And reiterates the same restrictions.

With three PDFs to choose from, I'm not sure that secrecy is the right word to
use. And with a constantly-stated requirement that the location information is
for service delivery and not to be visible to the access network, our privacy
should be secure.

Richard Chirgwin

____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject:    [LINK] Unholy MOLI
Author: "Roger Clarke" <Roger.Clarke@anu.edu.au>
Date:       5/06/00 10:00


Am I the only one who's unimpressed by the secrecy surrounding the
development of standards for the implantation of location mechanisms inside
all mobile devices?

The name of the initiative is MOLI (Mobile Origin Location Indication), and
the relevant committee is part of ACIF:
http://www.acif.org.au/MOLI/

The only information publicly available is that the membership comprises:
    ACA
    Cable & Wireless Optus
    Hutchison Telecoms
    Lucent
    Telstra
    Vodafone

and a Terms of Reference that merely says "The ACIF Mobile Origin Location
Indication Implementation Group (ACIF MIG) has been established to achieve
a coordinated industry-wide approach to the adoption/implementation of
MOLI".

For a review of person location and tracing, see:
http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/DV/PLT.html


Roger Clarke              http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/

Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd, 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
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