That previously reported new subscription based mobile music service - Omnifone's MusicStation - will launch in Sweden today, ahead of similar launches planned in numerous markets around the world.
As previously reported, with MusicStation users will pay a weekly fee to access unlimited tracks from a catalogue that includes music from all four major record companies, plus a number of independents including the Beggars Group and those indies distributed by Vital:PIAS Digital. The service will initially launch via Swedish mobile network Telnor, with mobile network partnerships confirmed for similar launches in the coming months in Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.
Confirming the initial launch, Omnifone CEO Rob Lewis told reporters: "MusicStation's launch today heralds the beginning of the next generation of mobile music. Hundreds of millions of mobile phone subscribers worldwide will soon gain the ultimate music freedom - the ability to download and play unlimited amounts of music, wherever they are, through a fantastic easy-to-use digital music experience, which works on almost any phone. Consumers will have the ability to legally access, download and enjoy an unlimited amount of music, from an international and localised music catalogue, supported by the whole music industry, all for a small weekly fee. MusicStation users can download music, wherever they are, at any time and with no charge for data".
Telenor CEO Johan Lindgren added: "We are proud to win the race to be the first operator in the world to rollout MusicStation to our subscribers. Telenor has always focused on delivering cutting edge services to its subscribers and with MusicStation we can deliver a truly next generation music experience, giving our consumers the freedom to download an unlimited amount of music, wherever they are, for a small weekly fee".
There are also quotes here from more or less every record label signed up to the scheme, but I won't bother you with all of them. How about that nice Simon Wheeler from Beggars Group? His quote is nice and short: "We are delighted MusicStation sees the importance of securing a vast catalogue of local and independent content, to ensure that users have the widest possible selection available, at the touch of a button, wherever they are".