Ammon News - NAVTEQ Selected As Tier One Supplier To Emitac Mobile Solutions
Navigation solution to be pre-bundled on BlackBerry handheld devices in Jordan

AMMONNEWS – NAVTEQ , a leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, has been confirmed as a tier one supplier to Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS) for its Middle East operation. A strategic channel partner of Research in Motion, EMS is the largest distributor of BlackBerry devices in the Middle East and Africa, working in Jordan and 32 other countries in the region.

As a tier one supplier, NAVTEQ is providing a navigation package to EMS which includes an Appello’s online mobile navigation solution Wisepilot (TM off board navigation solution) as well as NAVTEQ® maps and other content. EMS is planning to pre-bundle the application on all BlackBerry devices sold in Jordan with approximately one million expected to be shipped in the Middle East this year.

“Emitac Mobile Solutions is proud to work with NAVTEQ in increasing the value for BlackBerry smartphones in the Middle East. Adding NAVTEQ maps with the Appello application complements the BlackBerry solution perfectly. Our relationship with NAVTEQ is an example of our commitment to provide more value to its carrier customers and large network of partners,” says Mr. Babar Khan, CEO of Emitac Mobile Solutions.

EMS currently offers BlackBerry end-to-end services to 40 operators across Jordan and the rest of the region complete with a Virtual Preload agreement which allows additional over-the-air applications to be activated by the consumer. The actual application is installed once the user has accepted the License Agreement and pressed the “Download” button.

Given its broad experience in developing marketing programs which help promote navigation, NAVTEQ is in a unique position to support EMS in the wireless arena. “We felt we could leverage our local presence and demonstrate proactive support by leveraging our marketing program experience to help EMS position the benefits of this navigation solution to both operators and the retail channel,” explained Yiannis Moissidis, NAVTEQ vice president, MEA sales. “The chance to reach out to a huge range of mobile operators through our relationship with EMS is a very exciting proposition.”

The navigation bundle will include maps of Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & UAE and consumers will be able to buy further worldwide coverage as required.