OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-The popularity of in-vehicle navigation services vs. handset-based vehicle navigation services in East Asia varies from country to country, according to a report from ABI Research titled “Handset-based Navigation and Location Based Services in Asia.”
The study examines features and fee schedules, company profiles of wireless operators and subscriber and revenue forecasts for handset-based vehicle navigation markets.
According to the report, the navigation market in Japan is far more advanced than in other parts of Asia, so handset-based vehicle navigation services will have a difficult time competing against in-vehicle systems. However, occasional navigation service users might find the newer handset-based navigation services attractive as prices come down and third-generation penetration increases, said the report.
In contrast, navigation systems remain a luxury in China. Therefore, handset-based navigation services will be viewed as a cheaper substitute. In Korea, handset-based navigation services already enjoy considerable success, according to the report, with the country’s three largest players already offering such services.
