Nokia, Trimble ink navigation tech licensing deal
Exclusive agreement allows Nokia to use Trimble's location-based technology in consumer products and services.
Under the arrangement, Nokia will be able to incorporate Trimble's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in its wireless consumer products and services. Nokia also will receive sublicensing rights for Trimble's GNSS technology.
Global positioning technology is becoming more pervasive as it finds its way into automobile dashboards and handheld devices. Trimble's navigation technology is designed to aid users by pointing them in the right direction when traveling down city streets, hiking in the wilderness or flying a private plane.
"We strongly believe that location-based capabilities and services will be an important element of future mobile communications devices," Kai Oistamo, general manager of Nokia's mobile phones, said in a statement.
Services such as local search allow a subscriber to find information on nearby restaurants, entertainment or grocery stores based on his or her physical location.
Trimble, through the agreement, will receive a nonexclusive license to access Nokia's location-based patents and use them in its own products and services.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.