Omnifone has launched an all-you-can-eat OTA full-track music download service with unprecedented support from 23 operators and the major labels.
The first operators to launch the MusicStation service are Telenor and Vodafone partner network Vodacom in South Africa. Four more networks will be launching across Western Europe and Asia-Pacific in 2Q 2007.
Crucially, UK-based Omnifone says the 2.5G/3G service will work on 75 per cent of Java and Symbian handsets, significantly widening the target market for mobile music beyond specialist devices.
Memory issues on less sophisticated handsets are resolved by a client-server mechanism that keeps a user's favorite music on the phone at the expense of less played tracks.
MusicStation subscriptions start at 2.99 euros per week (£1.99 in the UK) for unlimited downloads including data, while a premium service will offer unlimited music downloads to a mobile and Mac/PC for 3.99 euros per week (£2.99 in the UK), again inclusive of data.
Speaking to ME, Omnifone CEO Rob Lewis said MusicStation provides operators with a big opportunity to regain the mobile music initiative following the announcement of Apple's iPhone last month.
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"The iPhone has entered the arena and made a big splash, but Apple's model relies on pay-per-track pricing and sideloading, bypassing operators in terms of music and data revenue," he said. "MusicStation is therefore an exciting proposition - by the time iPhone arrives in Europe, the vast majority of Europeans will be able to access our service."
Rob Wells, SVP Digital at Universal Music Group International, said: “UMG are looking forward to the launch of MusicStation, it’s one of the most consumer friendly and secure platforms we have seen and the worldwide potential of the MusicStation platform and its ability to make music instantly accessible to consumers via their mobile phone is enormous.”
Anders Jensen, chief marketing officer at Telenor, said: “As one of the first Omnifone partners to launch the MusicStation all you can eat service, Telenor has reinforced its commitment to deliver cutting edge innovative services to its mobile subscribers across Sweden.”
The MusicStation library has been assembled by Omnifone and France-based Musiwave, with tracks delivered in eAAC+ format.
Omnifone said it has soon to be announced operator partner agreements in Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK.
