Sprint and RealNetworks Bring Music to Mobile Phones

Mobile phone carrier Sprint and digital entertainment services company RealNetworks, Inc. announced recently an agreement through which music-related offerings (ringtones, ringback tones and full-track music) available for Sprint phones will be streamlined into a digital music storefront. The duo revealed that they planned on streamlining Sprint's digital music offerings during the ongoing year, in an attempt to deliver the same choice and convenience to users as Sprint offers on all of its mobile services, while also increasing the efficiency for the carrier.

“Sprint is committed to allowing our customers easy access to the applications, services and features they want most on their Sprint devices,” said Len Barlik, vice president, wireless and wireline services, Sprint. “This relationship with RealNetworks allows us to give Sprint customers an easy-to-use option to find, purchase and manage the music-related content they want on their phones in a more convenient, intuitive way.”

According to the agreement between Sprint and RealNetworks, the latter will enhance its end-to-end Media Entertainment Platform so as to include the management and marketing of Sprint's digital music content. In the beginning, the move will only include full-tracks, ringtones and ringback tones, the duo said, adding that they are expecting for the partnership to result in a rich shopping experience for Sprint customers, as well as in an increased efficiency for the wireless operator.

“Sprint has always demonstrated a dedication to providing its customers with convenience and choice in accessing the content they want on their phones,” said Vern Poyner, senior vice president, technology products and solutions, RealNetworks. “Our Media Entertainment Platform will extend the integrated, user-friendly experience that Sprint offers, providing subscribers with a convenient choice in how they access music on the go.”

RealNetworks is already offering a wide range of mobile services to wireless operators, including Music, Video, RBTs and personalization, as well as messaging services. The company's ASP services are available at the moment via more than 86 mobile phone carriers in a number of 48 countries all around the world, and over 900 million customers can enjoy access to them.