Difference between revisions of "FAQ"

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On this page you can find frequently asked questions.
 
  
===I am an [http://www.openstreetmap.org OpenStreetMap] mapper and would like to map cell towers===
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===I am an <u>[http://www.openstreetmap.org OpenStreetMap]</u> mapper and would like to map cell towers===
  
OpenCelliD mainly collects MCC, MNC, LAC and CID information combined with a GPS position.<br>
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OpenCellID mainly collects MCC, MNC, LAC, and CID information combined with a GPS position.<br>
In most cases it is not possible to find out this data by going to a cell tower for various reasons:
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In most cases, it is not possible to obtain this data by going to a cell tower for various reasons:
*the cell tower might be on a roof which is not accessible
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*the cell tower might be on a rooftop which is not accessible
 
*there is no sign at the base station indicating such information
 
*there is no sign at the base station indicating such information
*there are many antennas all together and it is not possible to find out which antenna has which cell-id
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*there are many antennas all together and it is not possible to find out which antenna has which Cell ID
*etc.
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In addition one of the basic rules of <u>[http://www.openstreetmap.org OSM]</u> is to map <u>visible</u> things. This is not the case here: MCC/MNC/LAC/CID are not visible in most cases.<br>
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In addition, one of the basic rules of <u>[http://www.openstreetmap.org OSM]</u> is to map <u>visible</u> things. This is not the case here as MCC/MNC/LAC/CID are not visible in most cases.<br>
Therefore only a very small number of cell towers is currently mapped in OSM with MCC/MNC/LAC/CID tags.
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Therefore, only a very small number of cell towers is currently mapped in OSM with MCC/MNC/LAC/CID tags.
  
The most appropriate way to contribute to OpenCellID is to use one of the smartphone applications listed <u>[[Data_sources|here]]</u> and to collect <u>[[Glossary#Measurement|measurements]]</u> while mapping something else.<br>
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The most effective way to contribute to OpenCellID is to use one of the smartphone applications listed <u>[[Data_sources|here]]</u> and to collect <u>[[Glossary#Measurement|measurements]]</u> while mapping something else.<br>
The <u>[http://keypad-mapper.org/wiki/Main_Page Keypad-Mapper 3]</u> for ex. has a built-in feature to record cell tower data while mapping house numbers / addresses.
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The <u>[http://keypad-mapper.org/wiki/Main_Page Keypad-Mapper 3]</u>, for example, has a built-in feature to record cell tower data while mapping house numbers / addresses.
  
 
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Revision as of 02:52, 31 January 2014

OpenCellID banner FAQ.png

Frequently asked questions

I am an OpenStreetMap mapper and would like to map cell towers

OpenCellID mainly collects MCC, MNC, LAC, and CID information combined with a GPS position.
In most cases, it is not possible to obtain this data by going to a cell tower for various reasons:

  • the cell tower might be on a rooftop which is not accessible
  • there is no sign at the base station indicating such information
  • there are many antennas all together and it is not possible to find out which antenna has which Cell ID

In addition, one of the basic rules of OSM is to map visible things. This is not the case here as MCC/MNC/LAC/CID are not visible in most cases.
Therefore, only a very small number of cell towers is currently mapped in OSM with MCC/MNC/LAC/CID tags.

The most effective way to contribute to OpenCellID is to use one of the smartphone applications listed here and to collect measurements while mapping something else.
The Keypad-Mapper 3, for example, has a built-in feature to record cell tower data while mapping house numbers / addresses.