This is refreshing news!

Broadburst Technologies Inc., a Canadian mobile media company, has announced the launch of a Bluetooth Marketing Network in downtown Toronto. The network is now live at 40 Gateway Newstand locations!

Most proximity marketing services today are offered locally, and in restricted environments. The real potential with a large deployment that ranges across many locations is in being able to provide a proximity service that has value for the end user in a number of disparate places. This way the user can use, for example, use a tourist guide near all major tourist attractions within a city; and if the network were to expand to more than one cities, use the same service that s/he knows and trusts across all those cities.

The news announcement I came across read:

Broadburst’s Bluetooth transmitters are now positioned throughout the Toronto transit system and other high traffic pedestrian areas in the downtown core, offering rich, interactive media content utilizing Bluetooth wireless technology to deliver interactive services and content to mobile phones.

“We are extremely pleased to launch this new phase of our Bluetooth broadcast network,” said William Kells, CEO of Broadburst Technologies Inc. “Our coverage area in downtown Toronto is extremely attractive to advertisers who want to connect directly with mobile phone users as they move through the city. By using Broadburst’s Network, advertisers can send localized content in an entertaining and informative way to cell phones of potential customers, who can download and enjoy the content free of charge. Broadcasting content via Bluetooth allows advertisers to reach potential customers in the moment, as they are making decisions on products and services at point of purchase.”

I sent an e-mail to Broadburst Technologies last week when I heard about this, to find out more information about how they plan to use and exploit their network, but they still haven't got back to me. I decided to go ahead with the posting anyway today, and I'll let everyone know by posting a follow-up article if they do reply eventually.