French telco offers free music downloads
French ISP Neuf Cegetel is offering unlimited music downloads from the Universal Music library as part of a new broadband service promotion. However, the definition of “unlimited” is being stretched here: Customers who sign up for the provider’s triple-play bundle can download as much music as they want from one of nine genres in the Universal catalog. For an extra 5 euros ($6.70), they can get whatever they want from any genre. But, Universal obviously doesn’t have as much music available as, say, iTunes.
Nevertheless, this aggressive move offers a possible case study for how broadband service providers, such as telcos, could change the game for music download services. Offering free downloads on a limited basis, plus a new pricing structure for more music, could be a way for wireline companies to break into the market and for service providers in general to challenge the exclusivity AT&T has with Apple’s iPhone.
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