It is great to see some progress in this space. I have been talking about such a system for some time.

IBM and Telenor have developed new mobile communications technology for global business users that will allow mobile devices and networks to automatically learn about their users’ whereabouts and preferences as they commute, work and travel.

Code-named PASTA for “Presence Advanced Services for Telco Applications” and developed by the two companies as part of a joint research initiative, the technology provides infrastructure for deploying next-generation mobile presence services. “Presence” technology – used in applications such as instant messaging – makes it possible to locate and identify a computing or communications device wherever it might be, as soon as the user connects to the network. Privacy issues are addressed by allowing users to control when they are available.

“The PASTA infrastructure has the ability to “learn” about users’ preferences. As the network becomes “smart” about its users’ preferences, we believe we can reduce outgoing network load by up to 70 percent,” said Vova Soroka, IBM’s lead researcher on the project. “That is a huge benefit to a network operator, but PASTA can also be used to create new end-user applications – to enable new services in medicine, tourism, financial services, logistics and home care industries among others. Any business with a large mobile workforce will find potential uses.”

I am sure it won’t be perfect but definitely a step in the right direction.