True, but with GPS, they know exactly where you are and not just what tower area you are in..
Sorry, but even if you turn off GPS, the ‘localization’ capability of the network (think radio signal triangulation matched to small timing differences) which is actually essential to the cel network’s ability to keep you connected,
CAN track you down to a pretty small area.
Read about LBS / location based services.
Also look up:
air-watch, Good, MobileIron and Sybase
These are mobile device management applications that can make use of the NATIVE capabilities of the networks and the smart phones themselves.
And no, they DON’T work if your phone or smart IS powered off.
The article says it goes by towers, not GPS.