Vodafone Offering Google Maps on Handsets

Just a few days after Nokia announced that it would offer a free local maps service, Vodafone has inked a deal with Google to port its Google Maps platform to Vodafone handsets.

Google Maps for mobile, a downloadable java application, is expected to offer customers in selected markets easy-to-use maps and local listings, as well as local search and navigation capabilities. Customers will be able to enjoy unlimited use of Google Maps for mobile, subject to Vodafone data tariffs.

Google and Vodafone are working together to ensure the service provides customers on selected handsets with an automatic user-location capability.

"Vodafone sees Google Maps as a new milestone in the relationship that both companies are developing. It is a prime example of how Vodafone, through its location service and distribution scale, can complement Google's products and unlock mass-market access to exciting services," said Frank Rovekamp, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone.

The announcement comes as Vodafone introduces functionality in various markets to enable its customers to search for and find information they are looking for while on the move, with the integration of Google search technology into its mobile service.

The search service launched in Hungary in December 2006 and is aimed to be rolled out in other key European markets throughout the rest of the year.

Forming part of Vodafone?s multimedia portal Vodafone live!, search technology from Google will enable customers to access both on-portal and off-portal sites in the wider mobile internet."

Posted to the site on 12th February 2007