Delhi-based digital map data and consumer navigation services company CEInfosystems's (CEI) MapmyIndia launched 'iNav', its global positioning system (GPS) navigation solutions for mobile phones in India.

iNav offers maps and navigation software for GPS phones at various price points. Earlier, the service was available only on the Internet, car devices, and Blackberry phones. The service helps locate where the user is, where he is headed, provides turn-by-turn graphical map guidance and also helps him search for a locality, street or point of interest.

''iNav offers comprehensive maps and high quality navigation software for the growing number of GPS phones being sold in India. Currently the phones either come with loaded with basic maps or no maps at all. Additionally, the price points at which iNav is being introduced throws open a brand new market with GPS navigation solutions now being accessible to one and all mobile users,'' said CEI director Rohit Verma.

''Our vision is to make maps and navigation recognized as an integral part of the country's basic infrastructure. After making maps freely available on the Internet via MapmyIndia.com, and then launching MapmyIndia Navigator for in-car navigation, with iNav we hope GPS navigation can benefit all mobile phone users across the country,'' he added.

He claims that the iNav solution includes seamless all India coverage of 280,000 points of interest across 52 categories such as ATMs' restaurants, petrol pumps, police stations, etc. The coverage area covers 55,000 towns and villages and landmarks in 150 cities along State and national highways, with additional details for 18 cities.

Moreover, he promised considerable upgrades to the existing system by including 100 cities by the end of this financial year. Verma said that CEI has detailed data on 1000 cities in the country and will roll out the same across its services over time.

The iNav software is available on a DVD, which can be purchased over-the-counter and uploaded on a compatible handset. The company has offered flexible options for making this service available to customers.

This includes a single purchase of either all India or state data valid for a lifetime at Rs4,490 and Rs1,190, a monthly subscription model for all India maps at Rs249, and a similar six-month option at Rs1,190. The service, with its price points, is aimed at mass-market adoption, said Rohan Verma, Head- Marketing, MapmyIndia.

CEI is also in talks with service providers for offering iNav as a value added service. iNav is already available on Airtel 's Blackberry service for free for the first six months.