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You need to know whether or not your mobile phone has two things: a proper GPS receiver, and preloaded maps. “True” GPS receives signals from satellites provided free-of-charge (thanks to the US government), but some devices that claim to have “GPS” or “AGPS” actually use an Internet connection (3G, GPRS or otherwise) to find their location, and you’ll incur charges for this Internet use.

That’s not all – you may also have to shell out if your device doesn’t have built-in maps – GPS coordinate data is of no use unless it is referenced to a position on a map. Although they may have a proper GPS receiver, some devices also insist on downloading map images (or “tiles”) from the Internet, so watch your monthly bill!