Location wars: How a newly liberalised sector in India is hotting up

Posted on:
Key Points

A few weeks ago, Google, which has become synonymous with maps, thanks to the ubiquity of Google Maps mobile app, announced that it is introducing India-specific pricing for developers using the Google Maps platform with up to 70% lower costs on most APIs..

Google announced price cuts after Ola rolled out Ola Maps, the digital mapping solution created using proprietary and open data including real-time data of the Ola fleet and open-source government data repositories, OpenStreetMaps..

A few days ago, homegrown digital mapping services company MapMyIndia, a chief rival of Google Maps, sued Ola for allegedly stealing its data and breaching the license agreement to create Ola Maps, according to reports..

In addition to Ola, India's own mapping companies such as MapmyIndia, Genesys International and RMSI - to name a few - are taking on Google, aided in part by a new policy that gave Indian companies a definite edge...

It all changed about two years ago when the government notified the National Geospatial Policy which liberalised regulations that applied to acquisition and production of geospatial data and services including surveying and mapping enabling Indian private firms to work without prior approvals..

You might be interested in

National Geospatial Policy 2022: A blueprint for national development

26, Mar, 23

Prior to 2021, the mapping, gathering, using, and storing of geospatial data was strictly controlled. Since the industry was heavily regulated by the government, it was challenging and time-consuming for private enterprises to obtain approval from numerous ministries to map and collect data.

Fat packages for tech interns; Google's search for data centre land

27, Mar, 24

At IIT Mandi, 27 students have received stipends of Rs 1 lakh or more this year. In Bengaluru, RV College of Engineering has seen 39 students getting over Rs 1 lakh in monthly stipends compared to 8 last year. Around 30 students at Vellore Institute of Technology have also bagged Rs 1-lakh stipends, with companies like Couchbase and Amazon offering Rs 1.2 lakh and Rs 1.1 lakh, respectively.

India’s AI Regulators Need Scalpels, Not Hammers

07, Mar, 24

A vague decree has revived fears that government overreach will stifle innovation in the country’s booming tech sector.

RBI governor on fintechs; Google, Indian apps in temporary truce

06, Mar, 24

The banking regulator's recent actions are not directed against any fintech but against a regulated entity, the Governor underlined in a reference to the Paytm case that has caused major ripples in India's fintech industry.

German government may oppose EV duty cuts

07, Dec, 23

India Business News: The German government is planning to file a protest against the Indian government's proposed import duty tariff regime for electric cars, which they b