CHICAGO and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, and Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, announced today NAVTEQ(R) maps and traffic content and technology are enabling interactive mapping and real-time traffic updating on the Verizon Hub through Verizon Wireless' popular navigation service, VZ Navigator(SM). Available today from Verizon Wireless, the Verizon Hub is an easy-to-use system that puts a communications command center in the home. It bridges wireline and wireless connectivity and runs on any broadband connection -- whether supplied by Verizon (FiOS Internet or DSL) or any other high-speed Internet service provider.

The Verizon Hub gives busy families information at their fingertips from an easy-to-navigate touch screen that gives them on-demand access to an array of services and information. Before their morning commutes, weekend errands or leisure road trips, drivers can easily find out what lies on the road ahead and get where they're going faster with NAVTEQ content that they can look up on the Verizon Hub and send to their VZ Navigator-enabled mobile phones. NAVTEQ maps offer the ability to search for and find locations and obtain door-to-door driving directions throughout the U.S. NAVTEQ Traffic.com JamCast(R) updates give Verizon Hub owners streaming, live traffic audio and video reports for local hotspots with advanced mapping for pinpointing of traffic hotspots for city areas across the U.S. Once a user looks up a location, the connectivity between the Verizon Hub and VZ Navigator allows for audible turn-by-turn directions and traffic updates for that location to be available on the mobile phone.

"Our goal is to connect consumers with accurate and dynamic location content throughout the day whether they're at home using the Verizon Hub, in the office, or traveling," said Jeff Mize, executive vice president, NAVTEQ. "One-button, at-home access to immediate relevant mapping and traffic information will make pre-drive planning easier and can improve people's lives by saving time, fuel and money."

With NAVTEQ's interactive mapping, directions and real-time traffic, the Verizon Hub helps today's busy commuters and families navigate their hectic schedules. For example, the big soccer game this weekend is taking place at a new location. Before leaving the house, mom can use NAVTEQ maps to find the school and check real-time area traffic with NAVTEQ Traffic.com JamCast -- all with just a few simple taps on the Verizon Hub screen. She can even send the school's location from the Verizon Hub to her Verizon Wireless phone, and with VZ Navigator, she can follow audible turn-by-turn directions, also powered by NAVTEQ.

"Busy families face daily challenges getting from place to place easily, quickly and safely," said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "With VZ Navigator, powered by NAVTEQ maps and traffic, our customers will be able to plan ahead and feel confident with the knowledge they need before they get into their cars."

Pricing and Availability

Customers need a wireless line of service with Verizon Wireless in order to purchase the communications command center since all billing for the Verizon Hub will be consolidated onto customers' Verizon Wireless bills. In addition, customers need a Verizon Digital Voice plan for the Verizon Hub, which is $34.99 a month and offers unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories, including Puerto Rico, as well as unlimited messaging to and from Verizon Wireless phones.

The Verizon Hub is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year agreement; additional cordless handsets, which can be placed throughout the home, are available for $79.99 each. For customers who do not own a wireless router, Verizon Wireless also offers a router to work with the Verizon Hub for $69.99. Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator is available for $2.99 for 24-hour use or $9.99 monthly access.

NAVTEQ is also the provider of Verizon's FiOS TV Traffic Widget, a free interactive feature that provides local traffic information on FiOS customers' TV screens. With the NAVTEQ Traffic Widget, FiOS TV subscribers have 24/7, in-home access to NAVTEQ Traffic(TM) real-time updates for local roadways.

For more information on NAVTEQ, visit www.navteq.com. For more information on the Verizon Hub, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hub.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) (LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 4,000 employees located in 196 offices and in 43 countries.

NAVTEQ, Traffic.com, JamCast, and NAVTEQ Traffic are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

Web site: http://www.navteq.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/