A method for acquiring positioning information includes receiving downlink data in a plurality of downlink slot frames, and receiving at a mobile terminal within one of the downlink slot frames, broadcasted global positioning system (GPS) orbital description data. The GPS orbital description data information relates to a first group of orbiting satellites within operable range of the base station (BS) providing the broadcasting of the GPS orbital description data. The method further includes performing GPS-based positioning for the mobile terminal based upon signaling received from a second group of a plurality of orbiting satellites in conjunction with the GPS orbital description data, such that at least one of the second group of the plurality of orbiting satellites is the same as some or all of the orbiting satellites of the first group.