Mobile phone operator Eircell is close to finalising a deal to take a 20 per cent stake in BizMaps, an online geographic information systems company. The two companies have been partners since October last year and are set to introduce the Republic's first direction-finding WAP service next month.
The new service will enable mobile phone users to find their way around cities, and make proximity searches for certain types of services and buildings.
It is understood that the companies have been in negotiations for several weeks and they expect to seal the deal as early as next week.
A source told The Irish Times that uncertainty created by Vodaphone's negotiations with Eircom had delayed the process.
BizMaps operates as an application service provider solution, providing address finding, mapping and detailed directions for companies' Internet sites or WAP services.
An Eircell spokeswoman declined to comment on the potential deal yesterday and would only confirm that the two companies were already in a partnership.
The investment in BizMaps is part of a £2 million (€2.5 million) funding plan that was initiated by BizMaps in May this year. The final price for the stake is not yet known.
BizMaps uses the Geodirectory, the most comprehensive address database in Ireland, to compile its maps and address sytem and has a deal with Tesco Ireland for its home-delivery Internet service.
