What is "Location Provider: Network?

[jschall]

I am new to Android phones but not to Android (I have owned several tablets and a Google TV), so it is not clear what Automagic means by "Location Provider: Network". Does this only require a WiFi connection to the Internet, or does it require cellular data connection? I am trying the provided flow "Location Based WiFi On/Off" on my WiFi tablet, and it executes correctly (It finds the location to be true) whether I select Network or GPS.

[Martin]

Hi,

The network provider uses the cell tower information and the available wifi networks to determine your location (wifi only when wifi is turned on or "scanning always available" in the advanced wifi settings is enabled). The location provider requires a working internet connection (either wifi or mobile data) to convert the seen cell towers/wifi networks to a geographic location with longitude/latitude.
The location is usually quite accurate when the wifi networks can be used to determine your position. Accuracy will be bad when only cell towers can be used to determine your position.

Regards,
Martin

[jschall]

Thanks for the quick reply, Martin. So, "Location Provider: Network" does require a cellular radio. Strange that it appears to be working on my WiFi-only tablet. Is the GPS Location Provider as accurate as Network?

[Martin]

Theoretically the Network provider also works with wifi only when the device is connected to the wifi and the internet can be accessed which is probably only the case at home or when some public access points are available.

GPS is usually more accurate if the device can see some satellites which is usually only the case outside. GPS also uses more battery in most cases.