MOBILE WORLD: Omnifone Launches Broadband Music Service

U.K.-based Omnifone Monday said it had partnered with Internet service providers to launch a service giving broadband users unlimited, legal access to music on a range of platforms, including television set-top boxes.

Omnifone said it has international licensing agreements in place for unlimited music downloads or streaming with all four major music labels and thousands of independent labels.

"Tens of millions of European consumers are engaged in music piracy every day. Whilst government pressure is growing, we also need to deliver alternatives that recognize the needs and desires of the YouTube generation," said Omnifone Chief Executive Rob Lewis in a statement.

MusicStation Next Generation-powered services are expected to be bundled with monthly subscriber plans, as well as being offered to existing subscribers on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The four major record labels are Vivendi's (12777.FR) Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI and Warner Music Group (WMG).

Omnifone provides the MusicStation download service to Vodafone Group PLC (VOD).

Company Web site: www.omnifone.com

-By Adrian Kerr, Dow Jones Newswires; [e-mail]; [phone]