LOCATION QUERY SERVICE FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS

A location query service for use with a wireless network that tracks the location of network devices, such as a network complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides requesters with the locations of network users, based on the locations of the users' wireless network devices. The service receives a location query from a requester, retrieves location information associated with the network user, and returns the location information to the requestor. Alternately, before returning the location information to the requester, the service authenticates that the requestor is authorized by the network user to receive the network user's location information. A requestor can submit a location query, for example, by voice calls through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to an interactive voice response unit (IVRU), personal computer access through a global computer network, and cellular telephone access through a global computer network.