Benefon partners with NAV2 for product launch into China

location based services

SALO, FINLAND: 21 August 2006 – Wireless and GPS technology company Benefon today announced that it has signed a contract with leading Chinese digital mapping company NAV2. Under the contract, NAV2 will provide important map data for use on Benefon’s forthcoming range of TWIG personal navigation devices, which it is preparing to launch into the Chinese market in late 2006.
Commenting on the NAV2 contract news, Benefon President and CEO Jonathan Bate said, “The Chinese market represents a tremendous opportunity for Benefon, and our partnership with NAV2 means that Benefon is ideally positioned to become its leading provider of high-quality GPS navigation and location services. We are confident that, over the next three years, China will become Benefon’s largest market.”
“Benefon’s agreement with NAV2 ensures that our customers in China will benefit from market-leading mapping data of the highest quality,” continued Bate. “NAV2 provides the perfect mapping data complement to the new generation of TWIG devices that we are bringing to market.”
The TWIG brand and product range from Benefon represents the evolution of satellite navigation into personal navigation. TWIG combines navigation and mobile telephony in a single integrated device, and uses the latest GPS technology to deliver powerful location-based services to the mobile user. With these services, together with its user-friendly navigation platform, TWIG is set to become a best-in-class personal navigation solution, enabling mobile consumers to enjoy the benefits of GPS technology above and beyond everyday in-car solutions.
Jeff Lin, General Manager for NAV2, said, “Benefon’s selection of NAV2 as its preferred supplier of mapping data for China validates our commitment to delivering the highest quality map data via a rigorous build-and-maintenance process. Users of the new TWIG devices will benefit from the most accurate information to facilitate their navigation needs in China, wherever they are and whenever they need it.”