UK drivers will soon be able to avoid congestion with an integrated traffic information system provided by satellite navigation company TomTom, using Vodafone UK’s mobile network.
This exclusive agreement will mean real-time information on the speed and direction of cars traveling on all major UK roads will be fed through to users of TomTom, the world’s largest satellite navigation device supplier.
Using this information drivers will be able to track and avoid congestion and tailbacks.
“It is TomTom’s ambition to cover 50pc of our installed European base by 2008 and this is another step towards making this revolutionary solution available to more drivers,” said Harold Goddijn, TomTom’s chief executive officer.
“This important development is a major breakthrough in mobility management and route guidance and will significantly benefit our customers. This will clearly improve the daily travel experience of our UK users.”
The advanced satellite navigation service is not expected to launch in the UK until the first half of 2008.
Tim Stone, director of new business development and wholesale for Vodafone UK, said: “Thanks to the quality of our data, UK drivers will soon be able to access up-to-the-minute traffic updates that will let them plan and navigate the fastest route for all their journeys.”
By Marie Boran
