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This isn't really a new concept. Rosum was doing this years ago, calling it RadioCamera. They used GPS to record a broad range of signals, including reflections, and map them out. Using that data they built a map that could be used to locate a receiver.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trimble-and-rosum-team-to-develop-universal-positioning-technology-74497582.html

When Rosum liquidated it's assets they were bought by TruePosition: http://www.trueposition.com/technology/

One interesting challenge not mentioned in the description of BAE's system is how they create the map. GPS has relatively few satellites and they broadcast their positions which is used by a receiver to determine it's own position. Relying on other radio sources will mean having them all mapped. Either the receiver needs knowledge of all of these ( unlikely) or it gets updates for it's local area periodically over a data channel. The map is also likely to be more than just an antenna's location, but data as to how it's received based on local topography. Alternatively it could send a snapshot of what radio signals it receives and the position is actually determined back at a server and relayed back to it. Either way seems to presume a separate data connection to the receiver to either load the whole database of signals sources ( and update it ) or a continuous connection to get the local database as it goes.

Using other signals of opportunity would be a good way to augment GPS, but surely not a replacement. Not being a replacement, I'd have a hard time calling it a rival.

I'm sorry that you had to deal with that...

Blame Verizon, because the technology to do this very well (without GPS infact) is out there: http://trueposition.com/

Shame on them... But Verizon's A-GPS is a neat technology too, it's just too bad that you need a handset that supports it. Luckily GSM users are covered by something better than GPS for E-911 positioning (see above link)...

Well it uses the truenorth system. http://www.trueposition.com/.

Cingular and T mobile currently have in place already to assist in e911 location awareness. It triangulates with the use of as many towers and antenna's as it can based on signal levels to each locating modulation unit to give you the location of where you are. Not very accurate in heavily developed cities where skyscrapers block a majority of the signal.

Worked with them before , I went to work at Sun , pretty cool tech.

It's a shame that they chose to use it to provide a service that the iphone really should have already had. Seams like they are trying to give people an app they get a revenue stream from instead of letting you use other available 3rd party apps where they don't profit.

You are mistaken. See An Examination of U-TDOA and Other Wireless Location Technologies: Their Evolution and Their Impact on Today's Wireless Market (PDF).

...TruePosition. I used to work there a few years ago. One of the managers in IT was a total dick (which is why I left) but the product of the company is pretty amazing stuff.

"In order to implement E911, GPS is necessary."

Not the case. While CDMA and iDEN phones do need GPS to provide reliable triangulation, GSM triangulation systems exist that provide position with sufficent accuracy to meet E911 requirements:

http://www.trueposition.com/news_07.23.03_tmobile. php

Perhaps you've never heard of

TruePosition

or the e911 requirements for the FCC. Basically, the FCC requires that you can be tracked from your cell phone. Currently the FCC requires accuracy around 100m, but these tolerances will be pulled in. You will see 5m accuracy within the decade in large markets.

As someone who knows the technology, I can tell you, it's a non-trivial process, and you can be safe in knowing that it takes a significant amount of precessing to perform a location. (Locations/second vary based on cell size, geography, number of cells receiving information, etc.). But it is possible. In fact it is happening.

Big brother is watching. You're safe though. No one cares about you.

If your cell phone provider is Cingular or T-Mobile, then your location services are being provided by TruePosition. Since Cingular is now going to gobble up AT&T Wireless, there will probably be a huge growth in TruePosition services in the US as a result. There is some information available online but the location system is quite proprietary and not simply GPS. Since the location is actually determined from equipment in a telecom rack somewhere, don't expect to be able to hack your phone much to make use of this.

If your cell phone provider is Cingular or T-Mobile, then your location services are being provided by TruePosition. Since Cingular is now going to gobble up AT&T Wireless, there will probably be a huge growth in TruePosition services in the US as a result. There is some information available online but the location system is quite proprietary and not simply GPS. Since the location is actually determined from equipment in a telecom rack somewhere, don't expect to be able to hack your phone much to make use of this.

If your cell phone provider is Cingular or T-Mobile, then your location services are being provided by TruePosition. Since Cingular is now going to gobble up AT&T Wireless, there will probably be a huge growth in TruePosition services in the US as a result. There is some information available online but the location system is quite proprietary and not simply GPS. Since the location is actually determined from equipment in a telecom rack somewhere, don't expect to be able to hack your phone much to make use of this.

If your cell phone provider is Cingular or T-Mobile, then your location services are being provided by TruePosition. Since Cingular is now going to gobble up AT&T Wireless, there will probably be a huge growth in TruePosition services in the US as a result. There is some information available online but the location system is quite proprietary and not simply GPS. Since the location is actually determined from equipment in a telecom rack somewhere, don't expect to be able to hack your phone much to make use of this.

This is nothing new. TruePosition is the market leader in the US for this.