Microsoft buys Multimap

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Multimap, the British digital map service, has today been bought by Microsoft, making it the third digital cartographer to be swallowed up by a leading user of maps.

Microsoft will use Multimap's technology and mapping data in existing and future products that rely on maps and location-specific data, such as Virtual Earth, its Windows Live search engine and web-based services, as well as using it in conjunction with its recently-acquired aQuantive web advertising business.

Financial terms for the deal have not been released at this stage.

"This acquisition will play a significant role in the future growth of our search business and presents a huge opportunity to expand our platform business beyond the UK and globally," said Sharon Baylay, general manager of Microsoft's Online Services Group.

As well as running a free-to-use public web-based map service, Multimap also sells digital mapping products to third-party software developers and to enterprise users.

"Partnering with Microsoft gives us access to new opportunities to build our mapping services into new technologies and applications," said Jeff Kelisky, chief executive of Multimap, which will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft.

Microsoft's acquisition of Multimap comes just weeks after TomTom clinched a hard-fought battle for control of Tele Atlas, while Nokia agreed a takeover of map maker Navteq.

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