Nokia and Major Labels to Offer Mobiles With Free Music

by Jarrett Martineau | April 22, 2008 at 09:07 am

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Cellphone manufacturer Nokia has jumped into the mobile content game. Today the company announced that they will begin offering a range of mobile phones that, in partnership with Sony BMG and Universal, will allow users to download free music for a 12-month period, as part of their new "Comes With Music" campaign.

This sounds like a smart model that will appeal to mobile phone users and music fans alike, and I'll be interested to see what other major labels get on board.

Nokia will offer free 12-month access to music from artists of Sony BMG, the world's second-biggest label, to buyers of its particular music phones, the world's top cellphone maker said on Tuesday.

Last December, Nokia unveiled a similar deal for its "Comes With Music" phones with the top record label Universal.

"Comes With Music is expected to launch in the second half of 2008 on a range of Nokia devices in selected markets," Nokia said in a statement.

Nokia gave no financial details.

Sony BMG, home to artists including Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and Celine Dion, is jointly owned by Sony Corp and German media group Bertelsmann AG.

The new music offering from Nokia -- the first cellphone maker to push heavily into content -- would differ from any other package on the market as users can keep all the music they have downloaded during the 12 months.

Such unlimited download models could offer a shot in the arm to the music industry, which is struggling to find ways to make up for falling CD sales.

Nokia said it expects all top labels to sign up for "Comes With Music" offering.