Mobile local search company m-spatial
has announced the launch of its Local Search and Discovery Engine
(LSDE) solution for Converged Local Search – a new initiative designed
to stimulate mass market consumer adoption of local search on mobile
devices.
Converged Local Search enables mobile network operators, directory
providers and personal navigation providers to realise the huge
potential of local search by seamlessly linking access to local
information across websites, 118/411 directory services, mobile data
services and personal navigation devices.
m-spatial says that Converged Local Search benefits personal navigation
providers and 118/411 providers by providing their on the move
customers with access to the additional rich and dynamic local
information delivered by its mobile local search capabilities, as an
extension to existing services. For example, users of a personal
navigation system integrated with Converged Local Search can not only
find their way to a nearby cinema, but can also find out whats on and
book a ticket. 
Mobile network operators and directory providers benefit, says
m-spatial, from significantly increased usage of their existing mobile
local search services through the integration of high volume website
interactions with local information via a send to mobile mechanism.
This allows users to investigate and identify businesses and amenities
that may meet their needs on websites and then download the identity
of the business/amenity to their mobile phone for later access while on
the move.
All major mobile studies highlight consumer interest in access to
locally relevant content and services, but the industry has
historically been poor at translating this demand into real usage and
revenues,” says m-spatial CEO Andy Walker. We believe that by
seamlessly linking access to local information via websites and 118/411
services with on the move access via mobile phones and personal
navigation devices, we can begin to make Converged Local Search part of
consumers everyday lives, a significant step in achieving mass market
adoption. Couple this with the major attraction to local advertisers of
reaching on the move consumers who are close to their businesses and
have an imminent intention to purchase, and Converged Local Search is
set to provide a major new revenue stream”
m-spatial is exhibiting at 3GSM on stand 1E57.