Melodeo to Release a Hi-Fi Version of Mobilcast

Melodeo announced the availability of 'Mobilcast Hi-fi', a new low-bandwidth, high-fidelity version of their Mobilcast mobile entertainment service. 'Mobilcast Hi-Fi' allows wireless operators to offer high-fidelity music and audio programs over existing mobile networks using standard codecs. Using patent-pending technology, 'Mobilcast Hi-Fi' automatically adapts to different phones and networks used, improving the listening experience with minimum bandwidth use. Wireless operators are expected to make the service available to customers in the upcoming months.

Another announcement made by Melodeo is the addition of a2z, a set of original music channels exclusive to Mobilcast, which include Country, Hip-Hop, Rock of Ages, Top Hits and Dave's Picks, a new music show hosted by Melodeo's Senior Director of Music Content, Dave Dederer. Dederer is best known as a founding member of the multi-platinum rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. Each week, he will keep listeners tuned in to the coolest tunes from his personal music collection.

"Wireless customers clearly want instant access to a variety of great music and entertainment programs on the go," said Dederer, "and Mobilcast is an affordable solution that works with a wide variety of phones. By adding hi-fi to Mobilcast, we have made the experience even better by greatly improving the audio quality and adding more music to the mix."

Mobilcast provides wireless customers with on-demand access to more than 150,000 music and entertainment programs including radio shows from popular sources such as NPR, MSNBC and CNN, as well as thousands of independent programs from all over the world. Mobilcast customers can choose from a wide selection of music, comedy, news, sports, and other entertainment programs. Mobilcast is currently available to more than 44 million wireless customers on two continents through distribution deals with Alltel Wireless and Cingular Wireless in the United States, Rogers Wireless in Canada and British wireless operator 3 in the UK.