Warner chooses Telenor for mobile content deals

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By Kelly Fiveash • Get more from this author

Posted in Mobile, 14th February 2007 17:05 GMT

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3GSM Warner Music Group (WMG) will deliver music content to mobiles in both Europe and Asia in a deal with Norwegian mobile operator, Telenor.

The agreement will mean that WMG's large catalogue, including songs, ringtones and music videos, will be available through Telenor's network of mobile companies. The deal currently covers nine countries, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

WMG has also been flexing its digital music muscle in the Middle East and North Africa. In an agreement with Orascom Telecom's content provider Arpu+, which operates in 39 countries including Algeria, Italy, Tunsia and Egypt, will distribute mobile music products from Warner Music.

Both partnerships signal WMG's determination to break into new and emerging markets in digital entertainment.

Alex Zubillaga, executive vice president of digital stategy at WMG said: "This agreement highlights our commitment to responding to regional variations in the ways consumers access music and to developing digital music opportunities around the world."

Plans for how pricing will be structured for home users in the various regions that WMG will be delivering the content are yet to be revealed.

WMG will also be working with O-Media Holdings which operates in countries that include Jordon, Egypt and Lebanon in the hope that they can shape new ways of "connecting with music fans".

Naguib Sawiris, chairman and CEO of Orascom and O-Media Holdings said: "As we can see, mobile devices are becoming the gateway to happiness."

Orascom boosts an impressive 50 million subscribers which WMG will be keen to reach with the new deal.

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