The disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for approximating the location of a mobile communication device. A base station transceiver (BTS) broadcasts assistance data across a control channel. The assistance data is received by a mobile communication device in communication with the BTS. The assistance data includes location information for the BTS, and Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information associated with the BTS. The assistance data can be broadcast by incorporating these fields in a control channel between the BTS and the mobile communication device. A-GPS devices correlate the received assistance data with a GPS almanac in order to connect to a set of positioning satellites. Devices without a GPS receiver or devices unable to connect to a satellite correlate the received assistance data to a known approximate location, by referring to a database stored on the device or on the network.