Some Indian entrepreneurs have used GIS data to create usable Indian maps catering to distribution needs for corporates. Eicher has created hard copy maps for Dehi. I have two- one in each car.
I think there may be a play to create a startup based on consumer needs for point to point directions. The free to consumer and “google – local” type model is well proven and an exit srategy to be acquired by companies similar to Google is also clear.
The difficult problem is getting accurate point to point directions when there are no easy to read street signs. I think this problem can be solved.
In this area as well I am looking to sponsor entrepreneurs with a viable business plan to present to the “Band of Angels”
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Sunil,
While mobile is interesting it may be that LBS can take off on the internet. A fair number of people use the Internet at work and home in India for email. If the LBS service as easy to use as email/free and useful then people will use it. If the service is not a bandwidth hog then even for the home user of dial up or broadband there will be probably no to very low incremental cost.
I would as a consumer like to get rid of the two Eicher maps that I have and take a printout of point to point directions with me when I need them. I will use the net to generate this printout using my PC. Nothing fancy. I do not need this on my PDA or mobile initially.
On mobile (in indian context), playing around with data services is still hard. Though data services are cheaper in India (Airtel 500 Rs/month unlimited GPRS) with some of the counterpart carrier services in US , and people though have sophisticated phones in India; but not too many people are subscribed to GPRS plans. LBS in India can perhaps grow out more as an enterprise level service for the time being.
Sanjay, Sameer and Jay… I am almost there getting the mapping for indian cities similar to that of google, yahoo or mapquest. You need to wait though for atleast a month or two.
Mukund
Hi Sameer,
when you mate the existing GIS data with mobile access, you have something to fund. Right now, a java applet named MGMaps has a street – wise downloadable app for the US- almost like Mapquest but on the Symbian and Palm platforms.
In India, with more users going in for higher end mobiles like Series 60 Symbian or Windows mobile, and operators flogging GPRS service to create a business case for 3G data usage, I think the time for this app has come. It used to be called LBS ( location based service) but the last time I checked it seems to be a Japan-only phenomenon. Would like to explore this idea more esp. since content plays such an important part, consider directions like ” turn left from the Shiv mandir, head towards the ship like building, second left turn” 🙂
The most imp difference is in the responses you get for where is X or how do I get to Y in every Geography. “Bear right on Exit to S.Fairoaks” will not cut it for India – ‘take the 80ft road near St.John’s/BDA complex into Koramangala and ask someone” will. You need to create that kind of content too, and probably collabaratively – cause the collective knowledge is what really helps find places in India.