Application layer signaling is provided from users registering at a presence server for a presence service wherein upon reception the signaling is checked for spatial location information and stored for future use in providing the presence service in association with other user information, such as user identity. The application layer signaling may be in accordance with the session initiation protocol (SIP) and the spatial location information provided as a spatial location payload (SLoP). The presence service may provide access to the spatial location information to one or more location based services either openly or confidentially by hiding the user's identity and other information. The spatial location information may also be used in conjunction with a messaging service for providing messages to the users with enhanced functionality.