Anonymous cell phone data is about to change traffic services dramatically, and there are significant implications for the NAVTEQ / Tele Atlas duopoly. More on that in a moment; first, today’s news…
TomTom announced a new "High Definition Traffic" service for the Netherlands, utilizing anonymous cell phone data. In the first half of 2008, the service will be rolled out in the UK too. There is no mention of plans to bring it to the U.S. TomTom says the system will greatly increase the accuracy of traffic reports and arrival time estimates.
Closer to home, IntelliOne offers such a service, which has been picked up by Rogers Wireless, a Canadian cellular network.
Of course Dash Navigation is bringing such data to the U.S., but it will only come from other Dash users, not from a broader cell phone network.
Breaking the NAVTEQ / Tele Atlas duopoly
About Rich Owings
There are so many awesome cell phone cases and other cell phone accessories coming out right now, I don’t know which to get first.