In-Car GPS-with-TV Market Experiences Huge Growth Despite Auto Crisis

DiBcom Observes Strong Increase in Sales of Components Destined for GPS Systems With Integrated Digital Television

PARIS — IBC Amsterdam, Mobile Zone M251 — Faced with competition from smartphone applications, GPS manufacturers are offering added value by incorporating new functions such as TV. DiBcom, the leading provider of multistandard Mobile TV solutions, is proud to announce that its technology is now integrated into leading brands Mio and Garmin Navigation devices to enable the reception of digital television. The company has witnessed a significant increase in sales of components for these devices.

New generation Sat Navs offer multimedia functionality

Because drivers generally use their vehicle for familiar journeys, the navigation function of a GPS device in only used for approximately 6% of all trips. New Sat Nav devices must therefore offer additional feature to enable users to appreciate their utility during the remaining 94% of the time. Sat Navs have now become veritable mobile multimedia devices which combine satellite navigation, digital television and other multimedia options.

By integrating DiBcom technology, the future looks bright for new GPS devices

DiBcom’s new DiB9090 chipset is built into the new Free-to-air televsion-enabled GPS receivers. Given the high volume of sales of these devices during 2008 and 2009, Yannick Levy, CEO of DiBcom is confident about their future : “The penetration rate for digital television and other multimedia functions built into GPS devices could reach 20% in Europe by 2011. Korea was the first country to witness an almost 100% penetration rate for Mobile television integrated GPS devices. In Europe today the rate is lower, partly due to the difficulty experienced in receiving Free-to-air signals. We will however, soon witness a similar trend as Free-to-air digital television is indeed ‘free’ and our technology offers solutions for reception difficulties,” he concluded.