Yell, the UK search directory leader, introduced in January 2010 a bespoke local business mapping solution on its Yell.com service. Yell.com Maps has been developed in partnership with OnYourMap, which already provides mapping for Yell’s mobile phone services.

The overhaul is the first in a series of major enhancements designed to make Yell.com the online destination of choice for consumers searching for local businesses.

Matthew Bottomley, Director of New Media Product Marketing at Yell, said: “It needs to be as natural for people to find a local business through Yell Maps as it is with the Yellow Pages directory.”

Key features and benefits include:

• Ability to search within the map for local businesses and services in a crystal clear and intuitive way
• Faster response and better geo-coding for increased accuracy
• Consistent experience across web and mobile
• Quarterly updates to keep information as accurate as possible
• Brand new design with bespoke colour-scheme and bigger, clearer maps

OnYourMap enables Belgacom Directory Assistance to offer innovative map services via SMS.

Since may 2006, Belgacom deliver a mobile Mapping service allowing their clients to receive on their mobile phone, a dynamic map confirmation related to the address they requested on the phone.

This service available for Belgacom, Proximus and Mobistar customers, was the first SMS application using WapPush in connection with maps over a call centre. It gives mobile users the possibility, after having requested an address or a phone number from their Directory assistance company, to receive on their mobile phone an accurate and dynamic map at different zoom levels.

This service represented one of the first map application offered by telecom operators via this channel.