Michelin Guide now available in UK on T-Mobile

LONDON -- Continuing its development of partnerships with large European mobile phone operators, ViaMichelin has launched the UK version of its Michelin Red Guide application on T-Mobile online, the mobile data arm of T-Mobile International. This means that subscribers to the T-Mobile online service in the UK can access the full range of Michelin recommended hotels and restaurants in the UK and around Europe.

Already available in France, Spain, Germany and Austria in association with a number of European partner portals, this marks the entry of ViaMichelin’s mobile services in the UK. The company said this new agreement strengthens its travel assistance services for mobile phone users by offering rich content and European coverage to the consumer.  

In the UK, T-Mobile online users can access a wide variety of establishments from small and budget hotels to the grandest deluxe hotels. This includes about 8,500 hotels and restaurants in the UK and about 9,300 establishments in 20 countries elsewhere in Europe.

Last month, ViaMichelin formed a partnership with KPN Mobile in The Netherlands, offering its new generation of services on i-mode terminals to the Dutch. "By being part of the roll-out of i-mode services in Europe, a key event in the mobile phone market, Via Michelin has confirmed its position as a pioneer in the mobile phone market," said ViaMichelin's Managing Director Alain Cuq. "By combining Michelin's mapping expertise with the innovation of i-mode, ViaMichelin is implementing services which make daily travel eaiser and contribute to the development of the mobile phone market in Europe."

Cartographic database

The new UK product offers a new level of route planning with an enhanced cartographic database and the option to calculate door-to-door itineraries in the UK along with with 20 other countries in Europe. 

Once a desired establishment is chosen, users can refine their search by using personal criteria such as price, comfort or type of cuisine, using the famous Michelin star ratingss. A single click enables users to gain access to all Michelin information available about each establishment: opening hours, chef’s specialties, brief descriptions and services offered.

"This agreement sign-up with T-Mobile online demonstrates the core strength of ViaMichelin’s proposition in the UK, one of the most competitive operator markets in Europe," said Rebecca Irani, ViaMichelin UK marketing and communications manager. "It also demonstrates ViaMichelin’s capacity to serve the needs of the British consumer.” 

ViaMichelin, providers of digital travel assistance products and services for British and European road users, today announced the launch of two new Road Atlas CD-Roms in the UK. One CD-Rom covers Great Britain and Ireland, and the other covers the whole of Europe giving motorists greater ability to plan their travel. These extensive and detailed guides combine the content and knowledge of Michelin's data and cartography offering on-screen the quality of its traditional paper maps.

Also France and Italy

ViaMichelin is now the editor of Multimedia Products across Europe. Beginning this month, its new range of Road Atlas CD-Roms for PCs has been available in Great Britain, France and Italy, all available in English, French and Italian.

Both Road Atlas CD-Roms combine content and format and search functions. Road users can use the CD-Roms to identify point to point routes or to plan local itineraries in a region using the powerful in-built route planner for both business and leisure purposes. 

ViaMichelin is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Michelin Group. ViaMichelin designs, develops and markets digital travel products and services for European road users. Drawing upon Michelin's centennial expertise in the travel world, this new activity launched last year, is intended for leisure and business users alike. ViaMichelin provides a full range of services (maps, route plans, hotels, restaurants, traffic information, tourist information) which can be accessed on the Internet, mobile phones, PCs (with CD-ROMs), on-board navigation systems and personal digital assistants.