Is GPS free to use in all mobiles??

[Guest smcqis]

As above ^^^^

[Guest Neil5459]

As above ^^^^

GPS as a service is free. A GPS receiver, whether built into a device, or an external unit, picks up the radio signals broadcast from a network of orbiting satellites.

What happens after that is where it may cost you money- either to buy software that translates the GPS signal to a usable mapping system, or to pay data charges to download map segments as needed over the air. Fully purchased programs include SatNav systems like TomTom and CoPilot, and downloadable maps are used by GoogleMaps etc.

There may be additional charges for such as Speed Cameras, Traffic Info and Weather, and also for the data associated with A-GPS systems like QuickGPS, but these are all optional.

[Guest smcqis]

GPS as a service is free. A GPS receiver, whether built into a device, or an external unit, picks up the radio signals broadcast from a network of orbiting satellites.

What happens after that is where it may cost you money- either to buy software that translates the GPS signal to a usable mapping system, or to pay data charges to download map segments as needed over the air. Fully purchased programs include SatNav systems like TomTom and CoPilot, and downloadable maps are used by GoogleMaps etc.

There may be additional charges for such as Speed Cameras, Traffic Info and Weather, and also for the data associated with A-GPS systems like QuickGPS, but these are all optional.

i would only be interested in using it to get around as i am for London in couple months time. so say for example if i got a n95 i can jus hit the gp section and it will have maps on it?? or will i have to download the maps to put on it?

[Guest Neil5459]

I know nothing about the N95, but reading around seems to suggest its performance in SatNav is poor, as it uses a very old receiver technology. Nokia Maps are free, but you have to download the relevant segments from your PC, then transfer to the phone, or download over the air, which is going to cost a lot unless you have a data bundle.

A better bet, if a balance of SatNav and phone functions is required on a budget would be to look for a used O2 Orbit. A lot of these were supplied with CoPilot Live already installed, and this is a very good SatNav program. A used Orange SPV M700 or HTC Trinity may also be an option- some are sold with satnav programs already installed, and can be had for about £100