A location query service for use with a wireless network that tracks the
location of network devices, such as a network complying with enhanced
911 standards. The service provides requestors with the locations of
network users, based on the locations of the users' wireless network
devices. The service receives a location query from a requester,
retrieves location information associated with the network user, and
returns the location information to the requester. Alternately, before
returning the location information to the requestor, the service
authenticates that the requestor is authorized by the network user to
receive the network user's location information. A requestor can submit a
location query, for example, by voice calls through the Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN) to an interactive voice response unit (IVRU),
personal computer access through a global computer network, and cellular
telephone access through a global computer network.