Elisa Communications and Nokia have together developed a mobile music service for Emma.fm (www.emma.fm), Elisa's on-line store for digital music, to pilot the commercial distribution of music to mobile devices. The Emma.fm pilot delivers digital music tracks to the Nokia 5510 phone and Nokia Music Player HDR-1 in a protected file format. The service allows customers in Finland to pay for purchased tracks via their mobile phone bill. Other methods of payment include Internet banking and credit cards. The service opens for commercial use on January 18, 2002.
The music bought from the online music store is downloaded to the user's computer and then transferred to the device. When users download a track for the first time, they receive the Emma Player, which allows them to manage their tracks and transfer them via their PC to their Nokia 5510 or Nokia Music Player. Currently, the service is available only to customers in Finland.
Wemppa Koivumäki, Managing Director of EMI Finland, believes that the pilot is a very important extension to the Emma.fm service. "This kind of distribution of music is one of the most potential areas of growth. This trial should generate vital information and experience in this new area of business for all record companies involved."
"With this service, we are piloting a new business model. We believe that mobile music will be an important area of digital services and that customer convenience is key. This particular business model offers users the convenience of paying for purchased music content directly via their mobile phone bill. The Emma.fm music service represents a good start for the mobile music business," said Ilkka Raiskinen, Vice President, Mobile Applications and Services, Nokia Mobile Phones.
Emma.fm has received prizes in many multimedia contests. The service was the winner of the eBusiness category in the Euro Prix 2001 contest. Emma.fm has been recognized for its payment system, well-functioning user interface and network quality.
The Emma.fm service was designed in cooperation with ÄKT ry (The Finnish National Group of IFPI), international record companies such as BMG, EMI and edel, and the largest domestic record companies Poko Records, Spinefarm, Johanna Kustannus, Love Kustannus and Siboney. Emma.fm was launched in January 2001.
About Elisa Communications
Being a pioneer and innovator of telecommunications for 120 years, ElisaCommunications is today Finland's leading provider of telecommunicationsservices for private and corporate customers. It's business activities includelocal, long distance, mobile and international telecommunications services, internet services and IT solutions.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Futher information:
Elisa Communcations
Research and Business Development, Vesa Lepistö, Development Manager
tel. +358 50324 3085
www.elisa.com
Nokia Mobile Phones
Communications
Tel: +358 7180 08000
www.nokia.com