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The number of mobile phone subscribers who use mapping and navigation tools could pass 42 million globally by 2012, according to In-Stat's "Mobile Handset Navigation Applications May Threaten Global Personal Nav Device Market" report.

"Mobile Phones Set To Take On GPS"

Mobile phone providers can market a downloadable navigation application as well as those on personal navigation devices (PNDs) with GPS.

The form of GPS technology legally required for E911 services (911 for mobile phones) is what makes this possible.

David Chamberlain of In-Stat said, "Unlike MP3 players and digital cameras, handset-based navigation applications provide the only low-cost alternative product in a market of growing popularity."

"The value proposition for handset navigation applications is very strong compared with that of PNDs and, in some ways, the functionality is superior."