Sony Ericsson Launches Mobile Music ServiceSony Ericsson Launches Mobile Music Service

Sony Ericsson plans to launch a service that enables users to have unlimited music download to their mobile phones.

The service, PlayNow Pus, will be powered by Omnifone and will offer all-you-can-eat music from the four largest recording labels and independent labels for a monthly fee. The music will come with digital rights management, but executives said users will be able to keep 100 DRM-free songs for each six months of their contract.

It will be commercially launched with Swedish operator Telenor in the fourth quarter, and rolled out around the world in early 2009. Sony Ericsson said it will release a special edition of its W902 Walkman phone that will have the music service integrated.

"By bringing together a simple, compelling user experience with first-class music-enabled devices, PlayNow Plus is a hugely attractive consumer offer and represents an exciting step forward for mobile entertainment," said Eric Daugan, Warner Music's VP of digital business, in a statement.

The move puts Sony Ericsson in even more competition with Nokia, which launched its own mobile music service earlier this month.

But Sony Ericsson is taking a different approach than Nokia, as it will be giving the wireless operators a cut of the monthly subscription revenue. By doing this, PlayNow Plus music downloads won't count against the user's data plans. Additionally, Nokia's Comes with Music service won't have as complete a selection, as the company has yet to reach a deal with EMI.

As the traditional music industry continues to struggle, music on mobile phones may become an increasingly lucrative market. As more multimedia-capable handsets are released, the mobile music market has been predicted to jump from $1.7 billion in 2007 to $7.3 billion in 2011.