Car navigation specialist TomTom now offers prepaid cards for its Live services on portable navigation devices (PNDs). After a free three month trial period users can choose to buy a prepaid Live services card for six months (EUR 59.95) or for twelve months (EUR 99.95). Alternatively, users can book an ongoing subscription via TomTom Home desktop software for EUR 9.95 per month which can be canceled with an one month’s notice. With TomTom Live services latest traffic information (HD Traffic), weather forecasts, fuel prices, safety alerts and information about local shops and business found by way of Google search are sent directly to the SIM card in a compatible navigation device.

TomTom Live services can be used on PNDs such as Go 950 Live, Go 750 Live, Go 650 Live, Go 940 Live, Go 740 Live and XL Live. In Germany, the prepaid Live services cards are available at retail stores, at electronic markets such as Media Markt and Saturn or online at www.tomtom.com. After having bought a prepaid card for Live services, users must connect their navigation device to an internet-enabled computer and activate the service card using the TomTom Home application.

In general, all Live services are available in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Great Britain. However, the Go 940 Live, the Go 740 Live and the Go 540 Live currently only receive Live services in the United Kingdom. Before the end of the year Live services abroad will be made available to these devices too, TomTom says. Go Live users will receive a message at the moment it is available for their device. There are no roaming charges for the user.