AutoNavi obtained the MODIBEC Project which is a China-EU cooperating project under the EU Sixth Framework Programme, ready to promote the commercial application of real-time traffic information service.

MODIBEC (Cooperation on Digital Broadcasting Convergence with Mobile Communications between Europe and China), a program intended to promote the Sino-European digital broadcasting cooperation, was kicked off in Brussels, Belgium on Mar 15. ERTICO (European Road Transport Telematics Implementation Coordination Organization) hosted the kickoff meeting, while concerned European Union officials attended the meeting and extended their support to the program. As known, the program will focus on the integration of digital broadcasting and mobile communications technologies, and seek for an established real-time traffic information solution for the upcoming Shanghai World Expo. and Beijing Olympics.

The objectives of MODIBEC program are to enhance the research cooperation, joint investment and project co-development between China and Europe on digital broadcasting, to bring about the universal standardization methodology and related supporting policies, and to assist Chinese Government to constitute Chinese industrial standards via the experience of Europe.

The duration of the program is planned for two years, during which participators will conduct a series of cooperative activities at the state level. The Chinese and European experts on digital broadcasting and mobile communications, covering a variety of businesses, research institutes and public service departments, will communicate closely and work on a DAB-TMC demonstration in China as a preferential solution for real-time traffic information service at Beijing Olympics and Shanghai World Expo. According to the plan, two workshops will be held in Europe and three in China (in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong respectively) during the program.

There are totally 14 companies participating in MODIBEC, representing the edge of the concerned industries in both China and Europe, including ERTICO, China Satcom, AutoNavi, Siemens, Bosch-Blaupunkt, Motorola, etc. As the only Chinese company in navigation industry, AutoNavi attended the kickoff meeting and the following preparatory meeting for DAB-TMC Demo on real-time traffic information service, and discussed the working details with other members.

AutoNavi, the largest provider of digital navigation maps and location-based service in China, plays an important role in the program, providing powerful support for real-time traffic information and digital mapping for MODIBEC. In addition, AutoNavi is also in charge of the coordination and publicity of the program in China, including the production of NavigationForum Shanghai 2007, at which occasion a news release conference will be held to update the news on latest achievements of MODIBEC. The forum has been functioning for 3 years, whose organizers are: Department of High and New Tech. Development and Industrialization of Ministry of Science and Technology of China; Department of Map Management of Chinese State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping; and Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.