Those who find route-locating services from market leaders such as TomTom unaffordable, has been provided with an option that is absolutely free of cost.

Internet search giant Google has launched a free turn-by-turn GPS navigation system for handsets that run its Android OS in the UK and Ireland. However, the newly launched Google Maps Navigation service is available only for handsets that run 1.6 or later version of Android OS.

Google Maps Navigation is an Internet-connected GPS service which offers turn-by-turn voice guidance on Google Maps. Until now, the service was available only in the United States.

The newly launched service could undermine old service providers such as TomTom. TomTom at Apple iPhone charges more than 50 pounds to guide motorists to their destinations.

Earlier in January, mobile phones maker Nokia made it Ovi Maps service free following the US launch of Google Maps Navigation. Nokia’s Ovi Maps service lets users to preload complete regional maps which guides them to their destinations.