Augmentra, a leading innovator in gps-enabled navigation software for smartphones, and Maanmittauslaitos (the National Land Survey of Finland) has announced an agreement to deliver high quality topographic mapping of Finland for Augmentra’s award-winning ViewRanger off-road mapping, navigation and information software.

ViewRanger is GPS navigation software for mobile phones specifically designed for the off-road and outdoor activity user, whether walker, mountain biker, horse rider, geo-cacher, birdwatcher, or rural tourist.  The software offers a unique combination of 2D and 3D mapping, GPS navigation, sports performance analysis, location-based content sharing, and buddy tracking.

The agreement between Augmentra and NLS Finland provides for detailed topographic mapping at 1:50,000 and 1:20,000 scale, along with digital elevation and vector mapping data used within ViewRanger’s unique Panoramic Viewpoint mapping.  To date, ViewRanger has been available with maps of Great Britain from the UK’s Ordnance Survey.

The long light summer days and amazing winter landscape make Finland a natural location for every conceivable outdoor sport and activity.  The thousands of sparkling lakes and endless forests provide the ideal environment for exploring – whether on foot, bike, horseback, or skis.  For Finnish residents and international tourists alike, ViewRanger with NLS Finland maps will be an invaluable tool helping to navigate and guide around the country’s magnificent scenery.

“Applications like ViewRanger show the way how public information can be easily accessed by private users. For NLS it is important that large number of users have possibilities to use modern technology to take benefit from our maps. ”, said Antti Kosonen, Director at The National Land Survey of Finland.

“We are very pleased to be bringing maps of Finland to the ViewRanger satnav platform,” said Craig Wareham, co-founder and Director, Augmentra Ltd.  “The active outdoor lifestyle and high mobile phone usage makes Finland the ideal first step in our plan to make more international maps available for ViewRanger.” 

ViewRanger runs on the Symbian S60 smartphone platform, and transforms a Nokia or other S60 mobile handset into a full-featured trail navigation system.

Maps of Finland are expected to be available at end of June.  ViewRanger is available from www.viewranger.com and selected retailers.

For a complete list of supported handsets and ViewRanger resellers please visit ViewRanger at www.viewranger.com

About Augmentra Ltd
Augmentra is a specialist in developing location-based mapping, navigation and information solutions for smart mobile devices and delivers innovative solutions that maximise the opportunities offered by the convergence of mobile phone, imaging, and GPS technologies.  Focused on the outdoor activity, leisure and travel markets Augmentra's solutions are specifically created to match the needs of the active outdoor enthusiast - whether tourist, walker, cyclist, or sailor.  ViewRanger is Augmentra’s award winning off-road sat-nav application used by active outdoor enthusiasts and search and rescue team members.  DataRanger is Augmentra’s technical platform used to create innovative solutions for international partners in the travel and leisure markets including Ordnance Survey Ireland and AA Publishing.

Augmentra is based in Cambridge, UK.  More information can be found at www.augmentra.com and at www.viewranger.com

About National Land Survey of Finland
National Land Survey of Finland produces and provides information on and services in real estate, topography and the environment.  The National Land Survey (NLS) is responsible for Finland’s cadastral system and general mapping assignments. It also promotes the shared use of geographic information.

The NLS consists of 13 District Survey Offices, six national operational units and the small central administration. The NLS has staff of about 1800, of whom over 80 % are employed in the District Survey Offices. The NLS is a governmental agency subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.