Microsoft India announced the launch of its Live Search Map services in India which will initially cover nine cities, business listings across 29 cities and access to highway networks to 20,000 cities and towns.

The nine cities include Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Jaipur apart from the four metros.

Microsoft India Consumer and Online Marketing Operations Head Rishi Srivastava said: “Live Search Maps for India will allow users to search for geographical information, places of general interest and business listings both on the PC and mobile phones.

“We will generate revenues through advertisements but that will be later. Currently, we are focusing on generating unique consumer experience to have people using the service,” added Srivastava stating that the service is for free.

The company plans to add new features such as landmark-based driving directions and satellite imagery for India in future.

The company also said that the first version for the service is designed at the company''s India Development Centre (IDC) in Hyderabad.