Shopping centre uses mobile phone data to "monitor visitor levels"

[Ian Mason]

On 23 Aug 2011, at 14:41, k.brown at bbk.ac.uk wrote:

>> Isn't this capture of traffic data
>
> According to that link "Traffic data means any data which is
> processed: to convey a communication on an electronic communications
> network; or for the billing in respect of that communication"
>
> Base station polling doesn't actually convey communications nor is it
> used for billing. So I guess its not traffic data.
>
> OK the same equipment that captures the polls and the TIMSIs might
> also be used to tell if a phone call is in progress, which is  traffic
> data, but you'd have to show that they are doing that.
>

Try a thought experiment here - remove the base station polling. Can  
the network now convey
communications to a handset, no it can't. Therefore base station  
polling is a necessary part of
"data which is processed: to convey a communication on an electronic  
communications
network". Thus base station polling is, by that definition, traffic  
data.

Ian