TomTom Gets FCC OK For HDTraffic

By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 7/10/2008

Concord, Mass. — TomTom received equipment authorization from the Federal Communications Commission to sell advanced “live” HDTraffic receivers in the United States that both collect and transmit real-time traffic information.

Currently TomTom offers HDTraffic receivers with “live” sharing of traffic information only in Europe. The HDTraffic PND not only delivers directions but it monitors users road speed as they drive, collecting traffic reports that are broadcasts to other TomTom users. In the United States, only Dash Navigation offers a similar product.

TomTom claims its HDTraffic PNDs in Europe produce traffic updates that are five times more frequent than typical traffic services and cover 10 times the roadways. Although TomTom has not announced specific plans to launch the service in the United States, president Jocelyn Vigreux said recently, “We’re definitely looking at bringing High Definition traffic to this continent.”