Without a doubt, the world's best-known GPS navigation devices' manufacturers were severely affected by all of the free navigation services that appeared over the past few months, the most notable being Google Maps and Nokia's Ovi Maps. So, it should come as no surprise that some of them have started to react pretty seriously to this situation, the latest move coming from none other than Garmin, one of the biggest names in the industry.

Case in point, in a statement issued today, Garmin revealed the cost of using “free” satellite navigation on one's mobile phone abroad, claiming that, in fact, users can rack up a phone bill more expensive than the cost of their fuel used for the journey. The company found that using one of the most well known turn-by-turn navigation services on a mobile phone generated a bill of £36 in data roaming charges for a journey from Calais to Paris – some 185 miles - meaning a cost for navigation alone of over 20 pence per mile.

Garmin’s Head of Communications, Anthony Chmarny said: “Using free satellite navigation isn’t as free as it would like to make out, especially when you are using your mobile phone abroad. Many of the well known navigation products use the mobile phone network to download maps as they go, meaning people could end up with a nasty shock when their mobile phone bills arrive – the costs could be double that of the fuel used for the journey they were navigating.

The European Union has confirmed that from 1st July 2010, users will be able to use €50 of data whilst abroad before being cut off (unless they request otherwise). Chmarny added “For someone using so called “free” navigation abroad this could leave them in the absurd position that they get half way through a journey and no longer have access to navigation to complete it.”

Naturally, Garmin also presented the advantages provided by its products, compared to free navigation solutions. “We are encouraging anyone driving abroad this year on holiday to be aware of the costs. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether a mobile phone application has maps included or if it relies on the mobile network to download maps, which can lead to huge mobile bills. All Garmin’s nüvi range of sat navs and Garmin Asus Smartphone’s have on-board mapping and do not need to download data information, so users know that when it comes to navigation there are no hidden costs of using their Garmin device abroad.”


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