Russia: Nokia will be the first international phone manufacturer to use Russia’s satellite navigation system, Glonass, in its phones and software platforms, according to Russia’s national navigation services provider, NIS Glonass.
Glonass is Russia’s answer to the US Global Positioning System, or GPS, and is designed for both military and civilian use. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov has already explained that the government might impose import customs duties for foreign products with GPS navigation systems without Glonass support from 2012.
Under a memorandum of mutual understanding signed by the two companies, Nokia is considering adopting the Russian system to the company’s products not only for the Russian market but also for international markets.
“Signing the memorandum with Nokia provides conditions for the mass introduction of Glonass technologies in Russian and foreign consumer markets. We will develop and maintain Glonass services for car and mobile phone owners together with Nokia,” said, Alexander Gurko, General Director of NIS Glonass.
Earlier, Apple and Samsung, key mobile market giants, have said that their newest touch-screen smartphones, Apple iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy Note, would have Glonass support.
Source: RIA Novosti
