TomTom Announces Traffic Solutions for its ONE and GO Product Ranges in North America
- RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver and TomTom Traffic Help Users Manage Traffic Experiences -
CONCORD, Mass., Aug. 30 -- TomTom, the world's largest portable navigation solutions provider, today announced the RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver as an additional traffic solution for its ONE and GO product ranges. The new RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver provides an alternative traffic option to TomTom Traffic. The new RDS-TMC is available as an accessory and is also included with the TomTom GO 920T, complete with a one year subscription.
The RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver receives and decodes traffic information via FM radio channels, enabling customers to plan routes better and reroute around various traffic incidents.
"The RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver complements our existing TomTom PLUS Traffic offering and gives TomTom users a choice as to which traffic service best suits their individual preferences," said Jocelyn Vigreux, TomTom Inc.'s president. "The full integration of traffic information in the user interface of our products, combined with the high-quality traffic sources used, provides TomTom users with the best and most complete traffic experience in the market."
The TomTom RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver works by using TMC (Traffic Message Channel) technology. The receiver acquires information through an FM radio signal broadcast by regional providers. By simply connecting the new TomTom GO device to the RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver, users will automatically receive traffic information via the TMC connection. Once a trip is planned, traffic alerts are clearly displayed in the traffic bar on the right hand side of the screen. When users tap the traffic bar, they receive further information, such as accident or traffic jam delays.
The RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver is compatible with the new TomTom GO 920 range, TomTom GO 720, TomTom ONE XL and TomTom ONE 3rd EDITION and provides seamless integration of RDS-TMC Traffic information with the user interface of the TomTom GO and ONE product ranges.
In order to receive RDS-TMC Traffic information via the TomTom GO or ONE, customers require TomTom's latest software application, which is easily and freely available through TomTom HOME.
TomTom PLUS Traffic
TomTom continues to provide users with its certified TomTom Traffic service, including real-time traffic and weather alerts and the option to plan trips to avoid traffic congestion. TomTom Traffic is a subscription based service that can be obtained via a GPRS wireless data connection*. It requires no hardware. Users subscribe to TomTom Traffic through their device and must activate the service by registering for TomTom PLUS services at www.tomtom.com/plus/services.
Pricing and Availability
TomTom RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver is available for the TomTom GO and TomTom ONE range for $129.95 at major retailers in the US and Canada, and on the TomTom website (www.tomtom.com).
TomTom PLUS Traffic is available for $24.95 for a one year subscription, in addition to a subscription through the user's cell phone service provider.
Key differences between TomTom's Two Traffic Services
TomTom PLUS Traffic RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver
Key -- Performance -- Simplicity
features/ -- Most accurate and up-to -- Most accurate and
advantages date traffic information up-to date traffic
from the best available information from the
sources best available RDS-TMC
-- The use of GPRS means providers
TomTom has controlled -- Plug & GO
ownership of the information
we provide, ensuring we
provide our customers with
enriched quality of
information
-- TomTom provides high-quality
information 24 hours a day,
all year round
-- The use of GPRS means we
are not limited to the
amount of messages that can
be broadcast at any one time
Equipment Mobile phone with Bluetooth TomTom Hardware. The
required and a wireless GPRS data RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver
connection is available as an
accessory for TomTom GO
720, 920, TomTom ONE XL
and TomTom ONE 3rd
EDITION. It is included
in the GO 920T product.
How to Yearly subscription with One time cost for the
pay TomTom as well as a data plan RDS-TMC Traffic
with a local cell phone Receiver, plus the
provider. Cell phone subscription cost. 920T
operators also charge users comes with RDS-TMC and a
based on the amount of one year subscription in
transmitted data (vs. length the box. Renewable
of time you're connected). after one year.
Sources TomTom PLUS services are RDS-TMC Traffic
owned, developed and information is provided
maintained by TomTom. by public and private
organizations
Information -- Description of the -- Description of the
it traffic situation (event) traffic situation (event)
provides -- The location (the -- The location (the area,
area, highway segment or highway segment or
point location affected by point location affected
the event) by the event)
-- The estimated delay -- The estimated delay
-- Alternative route -- Alternative route
calculation calculation
-- Information on weather
& road conditions
*GPRS service obtained through an additional data plan subscription with a local cell phone service provider.
About TomTom
TomTom NV is the world's largest navigation solution provider. TomTom's products are developed with an emphasis on innovation, quality, ease of use, safety and value. TomTom's products include all-in-one navigation devices which enable customers to navigate right out of the box; these are the award- winning TomTom GO family, the TomTom ONE XL and TomTom ONE ranges and the TomTom RIDER. Additionally, independent research proves that TomTom products have a significant positive effect on driving and road safety. TomTom offers a portfolio of content and services for TomTom's navigation products, which are easily available through TomTom HOME. TomTom also provides navigation software products that integrate with third party devices; the TomTom NAVIGATOR software for PDAs and smartphones. TomTom WORK combines industry leading communication and smart navigation technology with leading edge tracking and tracing expertise. TomTom's products are sold through a network of leading retailers in 30 countries and online. TomTom was founded in 1991 in Amsterdam and has offices in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. TomTom is listed at Euronext, Amsterdam Stock Exchange in The Netherlands. For more information, go to http://www.tomtom.com/.