NAVTEQ Special Topic Prize Winner Announced at European Satellite Navigation Competition

CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, announced the 2010 NAVTEQ special topic prize winner in line with the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC), at a state reception in Munich, Germany on October 18. This year's NAVTEQ special topic prize was awarded to Dutch company Dialogues Technology (www.dialoguestechnology.nl) for their LBS application proposition Parking Dialogue.

The NAVTEQ special topic prize is awarded for the best LBS application idea that uses satellite positioning technology and NAVTEQ® map data. Parking Dialogue proposed an application which aims to identify parking areas nearby and automate paid parking by a simple click via mobile device. Drivers will have the option to be billed weekly or monthly for parking on metered streets, parking garages or toll payments. The application will use SMS and positioning technology with embedded devices automating the system, making it a reliable and manageable process. Parking Dialogue will also utilize the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System to achieve a high level of accuracy.

As this year's NAVTEQ Special Topic Prize winner, Dialogues Technology received a 12-month incubation program with NAVTEQ Network for Developers™ (NN4D) worth approximately 75,000 Euros. The prize package includes one year of free access to NAVTEQ® map data, content and services, as well as coaching, business development support and web promotions through NN4D.  Additionally, a NAVTEQ technical consultant will assist in taking Parking Dialogue through the necessary steps towards commercializing their application, and Dialogues Technology will get the opportunity to present their approved application to NAVTEQ partners and customers, including leading handset manufacturers, platform and technology providers worldwide.

"We witnessed a record number of impressive location-based proposals for our special topic prize this year with over 80 LBS-specific solutions; the highest number of apps submitted for a specific Special Topic Prize category," said Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "Parking Dialogue is an innovative solution that shows promise, as parking apps are both useful and relevant to users today. We look forward to working with Dialogues Technology and continued success in future collaborations with the ESNC moving forward.

The NAVTEQ Special Topic Prize at ESNC looks to bridge the gap between location-based ideas and functional applications, while seeking the most innovative developments in the LBS market for mobile devices.  Parking Dialogue won the competition in a pool of 82 proposals that were submitted for the prize from 24 countries.

"We are extremely happy to have won the NAVTEQ special topic prize for Parking Dialogue," said Marc van Gent and Bastiaan Walenkamp, directors of Dialogues Technology.  "We wanted to find a way to make paying for parking simple and convenient.  Parking Dialogue will eliminate the hassles involved with paying for parking, such as looking for quarters, waiting on credit card approvals, and going back to vehicles to display receipts.  We can't wait to begin working with NN4D to implement our application so that motorists from around the world can benefit from convenient parking via mobile device."

The ESNC is an international competition to stimulate idea generation, incubation and development of applications and services made possible by the European satellite navigation system Galileo.  Organized annually by the Application Center for Satellite Navigation Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO) since 2004, the ESNC is geared toward companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities and private individuals.  Also announced at the ESNC awards ceremony in Munich were this year's seven other special topic prize winners, 23 regional winners and the 2010 Galileo Master.

"Intelligent parking solutions are a major challenge for urban mobility.  Parking Dialogue addresses the problem of billing and communication with different providers in a convenient and time-saving way," said Thorsten Rudolph, managing director, AZO.  "ESNC's cooperation with NAVTEQ really allows the wide spectrum of location-aware applications for the mass market of mobile phones to emerge. The impressive percentage of ESNC participants who submitted their application ideas for the NAVTEQ special topic prize speaks for itself."

For more information about the ESNC, please visit http://www.galileo-masters.eu/.

About NAVTEQ Network for Developers™

NAVTEQ Network for Developers (NN4D) is a dynamic web portal and global community that provides developers and business partners with the technical and business support needed to build, showcase and launch the most innovative location-enabled solutions. NN4D includes resources such as mapping APIs, LBS content, point of interest data and routing information as well as geospatial platforms and tools from NAVTEQ and its partners. Members can rely on NN4D when creating GPS-based applications for the web, mobile phones, GIS and portable navigation devices that employ traffic, navigation, location content and location-based advertising for enterprise and consumer use. Connect with the people, tools and resources you need to build and market your location-enabled products by joining today at www.NN4D.com/joindevelopers.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data (digital location content) enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world.  NAVTEQ was founded in 1985 and now supplies comprehensive digital location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.  The Chicago-based company is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, proudly supported by approximately 5,100 employees located in 212 offices in 48 countries.

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SOURCE NAVTEQ

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