Displaying the increased accuracy of the GPS signal. The left frame displays the range of accuracy in the past. The right frame displays the range of accuracy now that the signals have been unscrambled. (Business Wire photo)

According to the tests, 95 percent of the time GPS users can now expect accuracy to be within 10 meters, instead of the 100 meters prior to Clinton's edict. The upgrade should result in greater consumer appeal for the GPS. The system of satellites allows both business and recreational travelers equipped with a GPS receiver to display their position on a digital map and continuously track their journey, enabling travelers to reach their destinations more quickly and efficiently.

The clearer signals will boost the performance of Rand McNally's complete navigation solutions, which include its award-winning StreetFinder(R) GPS Receivers for Palm III(TM) and Palm V(TM) connected organizers as well as mouse-style StreetFinder(R) GPS units created for laptops.

"Rand McNally's goal has been to make the GPS technology applicable to the needs of the everyday traveler," said David Marsh, Rand McNally's director of Advanced Technology. "The results of these latest tests show that President Clinton has removed the last obstacle to consumers that was beyond our control."

Since its inception in the early 1970s, the military had intentionally degraded the accuracy of the GPS signals for strategic reasons, a policy known as "selective availability." Last week, Clinton ended a four-year debate, ordering the scrambling to cease and clearing the way for the billion-dollar industry, which is expected to double in the next three years as the technology becomes more prevalent in air, road, rail and marine navigation as well as numerous other markets.

Robert Denaro, Rand McNally's senior vice president of Global Business Solutions, lauded Clinton's decision, saying that the increased accuracy would bring greater acceptance of the technology by the average consumer. Denaro, a pioneer in GPS technology who ran the flight test program for the original GPS development as an Air Force research officer for the U.S. Department of Defense during the 1970s, said that the technology remains a bit of a mystery despite its substantial history.

"This is a great day for users of positioning and navigation now that one of GPS' few frustrating aspects has been corrected in this otherwise phenomenal navigation utility. I'm particularly hopeful that our European, Asian and other global partners will see this action as a demonstration of the U.S. efforts to earn their approval in providing a trustable GPS service to the world," said Denaro. "When it comes to finding our way, we all want to use a resource we can trust without exception."

To better educate travelers, Rand McNally in April launched through its Internet business unit, randmcnally.com, a comprehensive section entitled "The World of GPS" devoted to the history, evolution and consumer uses of GPS. The site uses in-depth descriptions and creative images to de-mystify the technology.

About Rand McNally

Rand McNally, founded in 1856 in Chicago, is the world's premier global provider of geographic information in both print and electronic media for travel, reference and education. For more information about the company, call toll-free at 800/275-7263 or visit the company's Web site at www.randmcnally.com.

StreetFinder is a registered trademark of Rand McNally and Company. Palm III and Palm V are trademarks of Palm, Inc. A portion of the StreetFinder(R) Deluxe mapping solution for the Palm(TM) organizer was created in conjunction with Junglesoft, Inc.

CONTACT: PAN Communications
Jerry Griffin, 978/474-1900
jgriffin@pancomm.com
or
Rand McNally
Amy Krouse, 847/329-6558
akrouse@randmcnally.com

www.randmcnally.com

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