A wireless device and method for providing location updates to a wireless network includes determining a current location of the wireless device, comparing the current location to a second location and transmitting a location update, including presence information, to the wireless network when the current location differs from the second location by at least a predetermined geographical distance. The predetermined geographical distance is determined in accordance with at least one of subscription information associated with the subscriber unit, including a subscription fee paid, an enabled service and a network state. The current location may be determined via GPS, wireless network based position determination or other method.