Chrysalis to launch music download service for mobiles

by Joe Lepper, Brand Republic 06-Apr-06, 09:00

LONDON – Chrysalis Radio's Heart stations are set to become the first radio network to sell music downloads to mobile phones using digital radio technology, following a link up with a raft of phone operators.

Chrysalis is due to announce details of a deal with BT, Virgin Mobile and the Carphone Warehouse, which will allow users to download music from the DAB digital radio spectrum as an alternative to using 3G technology.

As part of a trial, Heart will become the first to sell the music downloads and if successful it will be launched commercially before 2007, according to a report in the Financial Times.

The move is part of the mobile phone industry's gradual move into DAB, with BT Movio and Virgin Mobile already working on broadcasting television channels using the technology. Handsets that can receive digital signals by the two firms are expected to go on sale this summer.

Using DAB could significantly reduce the time and cost of downloading to mobile phones, with the average price of £1.50 a song coming down to the same price as internet sales of around 79p on iTunes.

However, it is speculated that the service could have limited appeal because users are only likely to be able to buy a song that is playing at the time and will not have the option to sift through a library.

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