DigitalGlobe is supplying imagery for navigation tools for three Chinese companies.

The firm will supply China Mobile – the world’s largest mobile operator, with more than 500 million subscribers – high resolution, regularly refreshed imagery.

The imagery from DigitalGlobe will be used in China Mobile’s turn-by-turn navigation service, GIS/fleet management service and standalone map viewer.

The imagery will be coupled with map content from China’s largest navigation map provider, NavInfo, and delivered as an enhanced service to China Mobile subscribers.

DigitalGlobe’s senior vice president of commercial sales Rafay Khan said the imagery will enable Chinese users to get a view of where they are and what is around them.

“We are excited to deliver a strong foundation for even more useful location-based solutions in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets,” he said.

DigitalGlobe imagery is also being used by Chinese firms YF International and Hazens in their navigation products.