What: Network mapping and location technologies
Why you should care: Nokia just announced it was acquiring mapping and navigation firm Navteq for $8.1 billion, which will bring a new level of integration between mobile capabilities and search and location-based services. Meanwhile, companies such as Pitney Bowes Software (formerly called MapInfo), ESRI and others are helping telcos use mapping to plan wireline broadband upgrades to reach ready-to-buy customers first. The result is highly targeted service rollouts, rather than throwing a blanket over a market and hoping the interested customers get covered.
What's next: Nokia likely will work with Navteq to produce more intelligent mobile search and location-based applications. Combining demographic intelligence and analysis with mapping software is the hottest trend in mapping, and probably will continue to result in highly localized wireline service offerings and advertising, too.
For more:
- Read about the Nokia/Navteq deal at FierceWireless