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17th May - Vodafone and RealNetworks, announced a multi-year
global partnership to support Vodafone's music services across
Europe.
The agreement will make RealNetworks' compelling mobile music
services, including Internet radio-style streaming music and
the ability to purchase and download full songs, available
to Vodafone customers in Europe.These services are available
today from Vodafone in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Portugal,
Romania and the UK.
The Internet radio-style streaming music service is available
in France. These services are currently provided to Vodafone
by Sony NetServices, a joint venture of Sony DADC and Sony Europe
that was acquired today by RealNetworks (see companion release).
"Vodafone is excited to be partnering with RealNetworks,
helping our customers enjoy their favourite music, from anywhere
and at anytime," said Dirk Wierzbitzki, Global Director
of Consumer Product Marketing, Vodafone. "Real offers
Vodafone a unique combination of industry-leading technology
and the ability to deliver compelling entertainment services
that enhance our customers' mobile experience. We look forward
to working with them."
"As the world's leading mobile communications company,
Vodafone is the ideal partner to deepen Real's presence in
the global mobile marketplace," said John Giamatteo (
inset ), President of Technology Products and Solutions and
International Operations, RealNetworks. "We are uniquely
suited to offer Vodafone customers a compelling and easy-to-use
personalized music experience that takes full advantage of
the reach and speed of Vodafone's superior 3G networks across
Europe."
The Vodafone partnership provides Real with a foundation
to deliver its full portfolio of digital entertainment services
to Vodafone customers. In working with Vodafone, Real will
leverage the technology and expertise it has gained in operating
music services around the world. This includes the platform
gained through today's acquisition of Sony NetServices, whose
technology center and infrastructure in Salzburg, Austria,
will continue to support delivery of music services to Vodafone
customers, as well as the capabilities gained from its acquisition
of WiderThan, a global leader in providing digital music services
that can be delivered to, and synchronized across, customers'
mobile device and their PC.
With the addition of Vodafone as a customer, RealNetworks
now has 12 music on demand customers with more than 196 million
mobile subscribers in 11 countries. Real's Technology and
Product Solutions division provides services on an ASP basis
to more than 75 communications carriers in 37 countries worldwide.
Vodafone music services are available on Vodafone live!,
the industry leading communications and multimedia service.
Vodafone live! gives customers access to a range of entertainment
services such as TV, music, games, ringtones, news, sports
and information; as well as easy access to leading Internet
services on your mobile.
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