Hutchison 3G Signs Series of Location Based Content Agreements

Hutchison 3G UK has announced agreements with five companies to deliver the digital mapping technology and the location-based services to be offered to consumers under the 3 brand later this year on its 3G network. As they develop, location-based services will enable 3 customers to pinpoint their position on a digital map delivered to the 3G handset, then follow directions to services such as hotels, restaurants, shops and businesses using a detailed real-time display.

An agreement with the UK's Ordnance Survey will see Hutchison 3G incorporating Ordnance Survey's detailed and intelligent digital map data into its 3G services. Hutchison 3G has licensed a suite of products from Ordnance Survey, including OS MasterMap - Britain's definitive digital map database. This database identifies over 400 million features of the British landscape, providing a consistent, national framework for referencing geographic information.

Tele Atlas will provide mapping data for the UK and Europe, supplying detailed street plans for over 30,000 cities from the largest seamless map of Europe in existence. Initially the Tele Atlas data will be deployed in the UK and later made available in other European countries where Hutchison Whampoa has 3G interests.

whereonearth, IONIC Software and TCS are to deliver a technology platform that supports the location-based services. All three agreements will be initially deployed in the UK, before being made available in all countries where Hutchison Whampoa has 3G interests. whereonearth, leading a partnership with Telcontar, will supply location-based services software, data engineering tools and professional services. IONIC Software will deliver standards based software such as Web Feature Server (WFS), using GML and Web Map Server (WMS), as well as the Ionic Portrayal Engine and other professional services. TCS will provide location-based software and services, including its Xypoint Location Platform which blends messaging and location applications.

He continued: "The scale and scope of technical integration taking place behind the scenes is unprecedented in the industry. We are delighted to be working with the leading providers in this area to develop these unique and exciting services for 3's customers."'"

Posted to the site on 19th September 2002