GPS and telecommunications technologies enable location services

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology works by receiving signals from various satellites to determine a device's location based on the time it takes for signals to arrive. While GPS and telecommunications are distinct technologies, they often work in tandem. GPS provides positioning, whereas telecommunications networks like 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi facilitate the transmission of that location data to applications and services.

Although a device can determine its position via satellite without an internet connection, many modern services require telecommunications connectivity to function fully, such as loading maps or providing real-time traffic updates.

Additionally, tools like Google Maps allow users to track the real-time location of contacts. This feature requires users to manually add addresses to their contact lists and ensure that 'Web & App Activity' is enabled within their Google account settings to facilitate location sharing and visibility.