SDK mobile data vs other sources of 'mobile' data

Multiple mobile location data sources exist. Accurat’s SDK collected location data is often confused for alternatives such as telco data (e.g. Proximus data) or bidstream data (collected on mobile phones via ad serving systems). 

Bidstream location data, collected from online ads, is generally less precise than GPS as it relies on indirect sources like IP addresses and Wi-Fi networks, providing only an approximate location. GPS data collected via an SDK, on the other hand, is obtained directly via smartphones built-in GPS antennas to deliver highly accurate positioning, typically within meters. Telco data, finally, is typically collected whenever a mobile phone connects to the network (when calling, texting or sending data). Given a 42% coverage for Proximus as a market leader, this data set is huge and requires limited extrapolation efforts. However the accuracy is limited. A user can be identified to be somewhere in a zone of typically multiple square kilometers. 

While bidstream data is useful for identifying broad trends and user behavior patterns, it is not suitable for applications requiring precision. Telco data is best used for trends on larger zones (such as municipalities) whereas GPS data is far more reliable for navigation, real-time tracking and other location-based services where accuracy is crucial.