January 21, 2009

By By Jen Wilson, London

Microsoft has launched a new music service that will offer U.K. consumers full-track, Realtones and music video downloads via its MSN Mobile portal. An exclusive partnership with digital music service provider, VidZone Digital Media will provide the content licenses and technical platform.

Up to one million tracks, 25,000 Realtones and 10,000 music videos are on offer from a host of record labels including majors Sony Music, EMI Music and Warner Music.

The service is available to all U.K. mobile networks and to anyone with an Internet-enabled handset. Full tracks are priced at ?1.50 ($2.10), Realtones at ?3 ($4.10) and music videos at ?2 ($2.80). Consumers will be billed via the PayForIt system.

"In the 12 months since launch, MSN Mobile has already become the UK's largest commercial non-operator mobile portal. This is another step in its development," said MSN Mobile U.K. director, Hugh Griffiths in a statement.

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