NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions (LBS), has officially launched its fifth year of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge in The Americas, building on the success of the now preeminent and innovative program.

The contest challenges developers to build location-enabled applications that work with mobile phones and/or wireless handheld devices using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ® map data.

Developers are offered five categories in which to submit their applications: Content, Enterprise, Entertainment, Navigation and Social Networking.  Contestants will be judged by an elite panel of judges comprised of major wireless carriers, industry experts and venture capitalists.  Past judges have included senior executives from companies such as AT&T, Bain Capital, Helio, Motorola, Nokia, Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

Over time, NAVTEQ has expanded the LBS Challenge in a number of exciting ways, including an increased prize pool – last year’s winners received nearly $2 million in cash and data licenses – as well as complimentary access to NAVTEQ map data and tools and platforms from leading LBS companies.

This year’s event anticipates an even greater prize pool consisting of cash, licenses and services from NAVTEQ and sponsors of the LBS Challenge. NAVTEQ alone will award the Grand Prize Winner $50,000 in cash and a three-year NAVTEQ territory license valued at approximately $225,000; the three runners-up winners will each receive $10,000 in cash and a three-year NAVTEQ territory license valued at approximately $150,000. All winners will be announced at CTIA WIRELESS in Las Vegas on April 2, 2008.

For more information about contestant eligibility, see the official contest rules at www.lbschallenge.com.

Source: NAVTEQ