An authentication server and corresponding method to authenticate a location of a mobile device at a location system are disclosed. The authentication server includes a data transfer controller to initiate data transfer between the mobile device and the authentication server in response to an indication of communicative coupling of the mobile device to a network via a small cell associated with the location system. The authentication server also includes a network activity monitor to access a location server associated with the location system in response to the indication of the communicative coupling and to monitor an indication of network activity associated with the small cell provided by the location server to authenticate the location of the mobile device at the location system.