A communications device (101) for a 3G network (115) includes a user equipment (UE) processor (206) able to determine a standalone location based on a Standalone Position Method type or standalone position method transmitted in a radio resource control (RRC) measurement control message. The 3G network (115) may command the UE processor (206) to use a standalone positioning method by transmitting a standalone position method type or standalone position method command to the communications device (101). The UE processor (206) determines the standalone location using an internal positioning module (212) such as an embedded GPS chipset, or an external positioning module (218), such as a Bluetooth accessory.