Qualcomm Inc. [QCOM], which supplies trucking companies with its satellite-based OmniTracs automatic vehicle location and tracking service, has begun a program to expand the service to metropolitan fleet owners, privates fleets and less-than-truckload carriers.

It will do so through a joint marketing and technical solutions agreement it has established with the Decartes Systems Group Inc. [DSGX] of Waterloo, Ontario. Decartes specializes in radio dispatch and route optimization technology for such operators. It said its products are licensed by more than 850 companies in 35 industries and more than 50 countries.

Qualcomm will provide vehicle location and tracking capabilities of its OmniTracs system. “With our new OmniExpress product, we will be able to provide cost-effective solutions to regional and metropolitan based fleets,” said George Dunn, vice president and general manager of Qualcomm’s wireless business solutions domestic business.

Qualcomm, of San Diego, is better known as the developer and supplier of CDMA (code division multiple access) technology to cellular and wireless industry manufacturers. It also is well known for its Eudora e-mail software. But the satellite-based OmniTracs was the company’s first product.