In a surprise move, Garmin has signed an agreement with iTIS Holdings for the supply of the RDS-TMC traffic data for the Nuvi 2×5 range. What’s not currently clear is whether it’s just for these units or whether it’s the start of a move away from Trafficmaster as the traffic data provider to Garmin. If it is across all devices, it’s also not clear whether it will apply retrospectively to existing units. Trafficmaster recently stated it had not lost an RDS-TMC contract, and was continuing to win business from iTIS.

One influencing factor may well be the low signal transmission strength dictated to all UK radio transmitter masts which has made receiving the TMC signals, especially from portable devices, a real challenge. In the last few months, iTIS has addressed this issue by supplementing it’s original carrier, Classic FM, by broadcasting the data signal using a good number of local radio stations as well. This has improved the coverage of iTIS a great deal, although debates still rage on which provider has more accurate data (when you can receive it).

Original story courtesy of Pocket GPS World.

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