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Nokia snaps up mapping company

Location-based services, from start to Finnish

Tags: lbs, nokia, gate5

By Jo Best

Published: 1 September 2006 16:20 GMT

Proof if proof were needed that interest in mobile location-based services (LBS) isn't on the wane - Nokia has bought software company gate5.

Using the German company's offerings, Finnish mobile behemoth Nokia will enable location-based services on mobiles, including navigation, mapping and routing - all compatible with typical LBS applications such as travel and restaurant guides.

It is likely Nokia will introduce the facilities into its N-Series range of smart phones, which run on the Symbian operating system, and the 770, its Linux tablet. According to Nokia, 15 million personal navigation devices will be sold this year - double 2005's total.

Financial details of the deal have not been released.

Analysts are also predicting hot growth in the mobile GPS market. According to Canalys, operators that get LBS right will be able to open up new revenue streams by changing the public's perception of what a mobile can do.

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