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Thalwil, Switzerland and Seongnam-si, South Korea – November 9, 2009 – u-blox, a leading fabless provider of embedded positioning and wireless communications solutions, and FINEDIGITAL Inc., a leading Korean vendor of telecommunications, networking and GPS products and systems,  jointly announce the launch of a wireless accelerated-GPS service “TurboGPS”. The service provides GPS aiding data to vehicle and portable navigation devices (PNDs) throughout South Korea. The service is available to 3rd party manufacturers of GPS products, as well as to FINEDIGITAL’s own line of PNDs based on u-blox GPS receiver chips.

“We are pleased to be leading the way with this next-generation accelerated GPS service covering the entire South Korea region” said Mr. Byung-Soo Kim, CTO of FINEDIGITAL “FINEDIGITAL’s extensive expertise in networking, wireless communications and GPS makes us the ideal service partner for all GPS device providers in South Korea.  With TurboGPS, FINEDIGITAL can expand GPS coverage in Korea with much higher accuracy, allowing devices to see more satellites than before. With the help of u-blox, our goal is to establish South Korea as the country with the best GPS performance worldwide”.

“With a population of over 49 million, and one of the world’s highest adoption rates of GPS, Internet and wireless technologies, it is an honor for u-blox to have been chosen by FINEDIGITAL as their provider of reliable accelerated GPS data and GPS receivers for such a technically advanced country as Korea” said Adrian Tan, u blox VP Sales Asia.

The GPS aiding data, broadcast via FINEDIGITAL’s DMB Broadcast Server, consists of real-time GPS satellite information provided by u-blox’ Internet-based AssistNow Server which collects data from a u-blox’ global array of satellite tracking stations. The aiding data significantly reduces the time required for portable GPS devices to establish a position fix, typically less than 15 seconds.  Due to limitations of GPS satellite transmission rates, un-aided GPS devices can take 30+ seconds or even minutes to determine an initial location (“Cold Start”) or to re-acquire a location after power-down (“Warm Start”).

TurboGPS is based on Korea’s Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB), a wireless technology which provides datacasting services to portable devices in addition to digital terrestrial TV and radio. 

About u-blox
u-blox is a leading fabless semiconductor provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions for the consumer, industrial and automotive markets. Our solutions enable people, devices, vehicles and machines to locate their exact position and wirelessly communicate via voice, text or video. With a broad portfolio of GPS modules, cards, chips, and software solutions together with wireless modules and solutions, u-blox is uniquely positioned to enable OEMs to develop innovative solutions quickly and cost-effectively. Headquartered in Switzerland and with global presence in Europe, Asia and the Americas, u-blox employs 180 people. Founded in 1997, u-blox is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. (www.u-blox.com)

About FINEDIGITAL
With the spirit of innovation and meeting challenges, FINEDIGITAL provides comprehensive digital multimedia solutions based on an accumulation of technology and experience in the field of mobile telecommunications. FINEDIGITAL has achieved continuous growth every year fueled by ceaseless commercialization of creative ideas, while maintaining a leading market position in both technological innovation and rapid market adaptability. (www.finedigital.com)  

u-blox contacts
Adrian Tan, VP Sales Asia
Phone: +65 6734 3811, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Herbert Blaser, VP Marketing
Phone: +41 +41 44 722 7469
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

FINEDIGITAL contacts
Jae-Ho Jang, Deputy General Manager/Marketing
Phone: +82 31 788 8814,
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it