Mobile Handsets Positioned to Radically Change the Navigation Device Market

Posted by Admin on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 02:48 pm:

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Mobile phone operators now have the ability to market a downloadable navigation application that is just as good as, if not better, than personal navigation devices (PNDs), reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). As a result, handset-based mapping and navigation applications could cause a major change in the overall navigation market, which is now dominated by relatively expensive standalone devices, the high-tech market research firm says.

"Unlike MP3 players and digital cameras, handset-based navigation applications provide the only low-cost alternative product in a market of growing popularity," says David Chamberlain, In-Stat analyst. "The value proposition for handset navigation applications is very strong compared with that of PNDs and, in some ways, the functionality is superior."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Cellular operators whose service is based on CDMA (and iDEN) have an advantage over other mobile operators in nearly every region of the world, largely because of the A-GPS technology originally driven by mandates to support E911 services.
• In-Stat surveys of US subscribers find navigation applications have a strong ability to draw subscribers from other operators and keep them loyal.
• The total number of mapping and navigation mobile phone subscribers could exceed 42 million worldwide by 2012.

The research, "Mobile Handset Navigation Applications May Threaten Global Personal Nav Device Market" (#IN0703583MCM), covers the market for navigation/mapping services for mobile phones. It provides forecasts for subscribers and revenue for global mapping/navigation services by region through 2012. It includes extensive analysis of the consumer and business markets, current offerings for these services, with an outlook of the market's potential.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/wcatalogue.asp?id=231

About In-Stat
Technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals and market specialists, worldwide, rely on In-Stat's experienced staff and in-depth research to support critical business, product and technology decisions. In-Stat's insights are derived from both a deep technology understanding and comprehensive research, which examines each segment of the value chain for each market. Regular and ongoing end-user demand and primary research surveys underpin much of the analysis, enabling In-Stat to provide incisive market knowledge and guidance on future market opportunities.

In-Stat is a strategic segment of the $9 billion Reed Elsevier global information network, with access to an expansive worldwide electronic network, extensive technology databases and well-informed personnel. As a member of Reed Business Information, In-Stat is a division of the largest business-to-business publisher in the U.S.