Vodafone Group launched its mobile music service in Britain on Thursday to allow users to download and share unlimited tracks, one week before the long-awaited UK iPhone debut from Apple.
The mobile phone giant has signed an exclusive deal with British music firm Omnifone that will make 1.2 million tracks available from the world's biggest music labels for 1.99 pounds ($4.13) a week through MusicStation.
Vodafone users with compatible handsets were able to download the service from Thursday, and it will roll out on other handsets over the coming weeks including touch-screen devices and BlackBerry smartphones.
The phones will be available from Vodafone and Phones4U shops. Users signed up to the service will be able to create playlists and share songs with other MusicStation users on Vodafone's 2.5G, 3G and the faster HSDPA mobile networks.
"On a very wide range of handsets, UK consumers now have the freedom to download, share and play unlimited amounts of music, direct to their phone, whenever they want," Omnifone Chief Executive Rob Lewis said in a statement.
Mobile handset makers and network operators have been looking to music in recent years to boost revenue.
Apple's latest "must-have" gadget, the iPhone, goes on sale in Britain on Nov. 9 through its deal with Spanish-owned O2 and retailer Carphone Warehouse, while Nokia, the world's largest cell phone maker, has also unveiled an online music store.
Analysts have welcomed the fact that MusicStation users will keep their music when they switch handsets -- as long as they keep their Vodafone contract -- and see the service as an easy and affordable way to buy music.
In addition to the Vodafone UK launch, MusicStation has agreed deals with Telenor in Sweden and Hutchison Whampoa 3 in Hong Kong. It said on Thursday it would go live with Vodacom in South Africa in early December.
News
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce
In the Orthodox calendar, Easter falls one week after the date celebrated in western Europe.
Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth
It follows an earlier open letter addressed to King Charles, calling upon him to defend Christianity in line with his titles of Supreme Governor of the Church of England and "Defender of the Faith".
Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice
Churches can breach the code even when acting in good faith.
Religion is often left unspoken in the workplace despite widespread faith identity, research finds
Fifteen per cent of UK employees with a faith say they have experienced religious discrimination in the workplace.