CHICAGO - NAVTEQ, a provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions (LBS), announced that Dial Directions has selected NAVTEQ map data to power its voice-activated, directional phone service. Dial Directions' first-of-its-kind free service enables mobile phone users to verbally request directions to addresses, destinations and events.

Dial Directions works from all cellular phones and on all wireless carriers. The service can be activated by simply dialing "D-I-R-E-C-T-I-O-N-S" (347-328-4667) and speaking a starting location and destination (an address, intersection, place or event); users then receive driving directions instantly via text messaging.

“NAVTEQ is excited about the opportunity to provide highly accurate map data for such an innovative consumer solution as Dial Directions," said Winston Guillory, senior vice president, consumer and enterprise, NAVTEQ. "Dial Directions' unique service is convenient and easy to use, and NAVTEQ is pleased to be able to contribute to an LBS product that offers such a widespread benefit to wireless consumers."

Dial Directions is a breakthrough in voice-activated LBS that is available to anyone with a mobile phone - no downloads, special phone or Internet plan is required. The service combines innovations in voice user interfaces, speech recognition and navigation, resulting in a caller experience that is pleasant and efficient.

The Dial Directions service is currently available in more than 2,700 cities across 15 major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. - Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Users of Dial Directions will have access to NAVTEQ's high-quality, detailed map data with millions of points of interest, including restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations, ATMS and other destinations.

"Dial Directions is delighted to work with NAVTEQ to provide a highly accurate and reliable LBS service to so many mobile phone users," said Amit Desai, cofounder and chief product officer, Dial Directions. "Working with NAVTEQ has allowed us to incorporate directional content that is both comprehensive and dependable."