TM, Milan Utama to enhance GPS navigator (4863)

LOKATOO: New devices will incorporate Yellow Pages listings and TM WiFi sites


TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM), the country's largest fixed-line phone company, is tying up with Milan Utama Sdn Bhd to provide enhanced content, including Yellow Pages, for a global positioning system (GPS) navigation system.

Milan Utama, a member of the Amtel group, develops GPS navigation system under the brand Lokatoo.

The tie-up will result in all new Lokatoo GPS navigators to be embedded with Yellow Pages business listings and TM WiFi sites. This means by using the device, one will be able to locate any companies listed in the Yellow Pages or the nearest TM WiFi sites.

To date, there are more than 3,500 of existing categories in Yellow Pages' listing and over 23,000 TM WiFi sites.

"This partnership will bring both parties closer towards the development of a complete navigational system in Malaysia," said executive vice president Azizi A. Hadi.

Azizi added that the partnership will benefit TM's Yellow Pages business significantly as it would increase the user base of the product.

Milan Utama executive chairman Datuk Wan Mohd Saleh Wan Mahmood said that the partnership will also help boost the company's navigation system sales.

Last year, the company sold some 100,000 units of Lokatoo GPS devices.

"This year, with the partnership, we are looking at a 20 per cent increase in sales," said Wan Mohd Saleh.

The company, which sells its navigation systems to Proton, Perodua as well as Isuzu, hopes to expand to the overseas market soon.

"We are looking at a few neighbouring countries, in particular Indonesia and Thailand. We hope to set up our presence in these countries by the end of this year," he said.

For those who have bought the Lokatoo GPS navigators prior to the partnership, they would need to update the software of their navigators in order to benefit from the new features.