Google, Tele Atlas to share mapping data

Google and mapping company Tele Atlas have tied up a five-year deal to share mapping data across more than 200 countries.

Google will have access to maps and dynamic content from Tele Atlas to use on mobile and online applications.

These applications include Google Maps, Google Earth and Google Maps for Mobile.

Google wouldn't comment any further on the deal but the tie-up could potentially also be used to extend the Street View application in Google Maps, already available for parts of the US, to Europe.

Tele Atlas, which was recently acquired by sat-nav company TomTom, will be able to take advantage of Google's user-input technology to keep its map data up-to-date.

Users will be able to suggest changes on maps, therefore making them more accurate.

Chief executive of Tele Atlas, Bill Henry, said the agreement is important as it gives Tele Atlas access to input from "a significant community of map users".

John Hanke, director of Google Earth and Google Maps, added that the geospatial data Tele Atlas can supply should significantly boost Google's global search capabilities.