Airtel launches GPS navigation on mobile handsets

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) One of the leading telecom service providers, Bharti Airtel in collaboration with Sweden-based Wayfinder Systems AB today launched GPS based navigation application on mobile handsets.

The application turns the compatible mobile phone into a complete GPS-based navigation system with detailed maps and points-of-interest of a number of cities in the country.

The system will provide all users with continuously updated, real-time content and geographical data via the wireless network using EDGE/GPRS, the company said in a statement.

To start with, the application shall be available on BlackBerry 8800. The Airtel users can avail map information and area coverage details of the cities - Delhi and NCR, Bangalore, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chandigarh.

''We are now introducing in India, a state-of-the-art GPS based navigation system that will largely benefit all frequent travelers using compatible mobile handsets like BlackBerry 8800,'' Bharti Airtel Chief Marketing Officer (Mobile Services) Sanjay Gupta said in the statement.

Airtel users also have the option to purchase map information and area coverage details of Europe and North America on www.airtel.mywayfinder.com.

Bharti Airtel is offering a six months free trial for all its Airtel BlackBerry 8800 users. As per the offer, the customer will not have to pay any subscription charges on the application during this period. However, data download charges will apply as per the subscriber's BlackBerry plan.

To download the application, Airtel BlackBerry 8800 users need to send 'NAV' as an SMS to shortcode '3636'. For detailed terms and conditions, additional information on the application, download instructions, and usage details, Airtel users can log on to www.airtel.in by applying 'Premium SMS' charges, the statement said.

UNI