NAVTEQ Announces Partnership with Skyhook Wireless

NAVTEQ announced the formalization of an agreement with Skyhook Wireless, a provider of software-only positioning systems using Wi-Fi technology, that will allow NAVTEQ to resell Skyhook Wireless' Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) in conjunction with its map products.

"This agreement will help drive a whole new category of Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices that will have location-aware capability," stated Michael Shean co-founder and Vice President, Skyhook Wireless. "The high quality and richness of NAVTEQ's underlying map data is a critical success factor in enabling this breakthrough solution. We recognize NAVTEQ as a leader in bringing the most innovative map content to the LBS space."

Skyhook Wireless' Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) software produces accurate location information by detecting Wi-Fi access points and comparing them against a known database of geo-located points. Unlike GPS or cell tower systems, the WPS is not susceptible to reception issues in indoor and urban environments. WPS is designed for the millions of laptop, PDA and smartphone users that have Wi-Fi capabilities and would like to take advantage of location-based services that are widely available.

"NAVTEQ is pleased to have a formalized relationship with Skyhook Wireless whom we have recognized as a thought leader since they were a category winner in the 2004 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge," commented Winston Guillory, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Enterprise, NAVTEQ. "The combination of NAVTEQ's forward thinking content like Discover Cities and Skyhook Wireless' cutting-edge WPS technology will provide our customers and the market as a whole with more options and channels for delivering value."

NAVTEQ and Skyhook Wireless recently collaborated on the development of ReignCom's iriver W10, the first commercially available media player to combine WPS technology with NAVTEQ Discover Cities pedestrian guide. The iriver W10, unveiled at CES earlier this year, provides mobile consumers in urban environments with detailed information about their location and the sights and amenities around them such as Fodor's travel data on hotels, restaurants and shopping. The NAVTEQ and Skyhook Wireless agreement allows for customers to select a single source for map data and software-based positioning.