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Brief
Skyhook

Skyhook

Location Intelligence & Dataskyhook.com

Skyhook delivers precise, hybrid location positioning that works where GPS fails, combining Wi-Fi, cellular, and GPS data to enable accurate location-based services for mobile and IoT applications.

Founded: 2003HQ: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Last updated Jul 22, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

About

Specialized location technology provider serving device manufacturers and enterprise applications

Skyhook is a location technology and positioning company that provides precise location intelligence using a hybrid approach combining Wi-Fi access points, cell towers, and GPS signals. The company operates a comprehensive global database of Wi-Fi networks and cell towers that enables accurate device positioning even in GPS-challenged environments like urban canyons and indoor spaces. Originally founded as an independent company, Skyhook was acquired by Liberty Broadband in 2014 and continues to operate as a subsidiary, providing location services to mobile device manufacturers, app developers, and enterprises. Skyhook's technology serves as a critical infrastructure component in the location-based services ecosystem, enabling applications ranging from mobile advertising and marketing to asset tracking and fraud prevention. The company's positioning technology is embedded in hundreds of millions of devices worldwide and provides location context that powers various AdTech use cases including geo-targeting, location-based attribution, and audience segmentation. Skyhook maintains its position as a specialized location intelligence provider, competing with both large platform providers and other independent location technology companies. As a subsidiary of Liberty Broadband, Skyhook continues to develop and maintain its location technology platform while serving enterprise clients, device manufacturers, and application developers who require precise, privacy-conscious location data. The company's solutions are particularly valued in scenarios where GPS alone is insufficient or unavailable, making it an important enabler for location-based advertising, analytics, and contextual marketing applications.

Business model

SaaS

Target market

Enterprise

What they offer

  • Skyhook Precision Location

    Hybrid positioning system combining Wi-Fi, cellular, and GPS signals for accurate device location

  • Context Accelerator

    Location intelligence platform providing real-time and historical location context for applications

  • Geospatial Insights

    Analytics and intelligence derived from location data for business applications

Key features

Hybrid positioning using Wi-Fi, cellular, and GPSGlobal database of Wi-Fi access points and cell towersIndoor and urban canyon positioningPrivacy-focused location technologyReal-time and historical location dataDevice-side and server-side positioning optionsCross-platform SDK support

Use cases

Mobile advertising geo-targetingLocation-based attributionFraud detection and preventionAsset and fleet trackingRetail foot traffic analyticsAudience segmentation by locationContextual marketingEmergency services location

Customer segments

Mobile device manufacturersApp developersAdTech platformsMarketing technology companiesIoT device manufacturersEnterprise location-based service providersTelecommunications companies

Tech & specs

Technology stack

Wi-Fi positioning algorithmsCellular tower triangulationGPS/GNSS integrationMachine learning for location accuracyGeospatial databasesRESTful APIsMobile SDKs (iOS, Android)

Security & compliance

GDPRCCPAPrivacy Shield

Deployment

CloudOn-device

API

Yes

Corporate history
  1. 2003 · Founded

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