Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 4 (IANS) Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group firm Reliance Communications Wednesday said it has signed a strategic partnership with Universal Music to offer music-related services and content across its GSM, CDMA, 3G Mobile and Wireless broadband platforms.

“The tie-up is crafted for our customers as part of RCom’s 3G launch. The partnership with Universal will be leveraged to give our 110 million customers an all round, never before music experience across multiple channels and extended 3G customers at its launch,” said Mahesh Prasad, president, marketing - wireless business, RCom.

RCOM has got the licence to offer 3G services in 13 key circles, including Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, hopes to launch these either late 2010 or early 2011, assuming spectrum is in place.

Since music has the potential to provide the best consumer experience on 3G network, RCom is launching Simply Music Initiative across the country.

Simply Music will offer exclusive caller tunes, ring tones, mobile radio web streaming, full track downloads, along with exclusive concerts with singers and musicians.

Universal’s music catalogue boasts of some of the best of Indian and western artistes such as Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, The Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem, and Lady Gaga, among others.

RCOM and Universal Music will also arrange exclusive Indian concerts.

“Wrap around, 360 degree seamless music consumption on-the-go and on the ground, both in India and overseas are some of the attributes of this exclusive initiative with RCom which will delight customers in a first of its kind initiative in India,” said Rajat Kakar, Managing Director of Universal Music India.

According to an estimate, mobile music downloads contribute 40 percent to the value added services (VAS) of mobile service providers in India.

As the use and demand for smartphones increases and driven by increased consumer spending on leisure items and entertainment services, RCom sees a huge opportunity to reach out to the “young at heart” GSM customers through such differentiated offerings following the roll-out of its 3G services.

“With the launch of 3G spectrum and the subsequent launch of the music initiative, we see a growth of 20 percent in the next year,” said Prashant Gokarn, Business Head, 3G, RCom.