Telstra BigPond in Australia plans to launch the continents first online music service before Christmas. Telstra plans on offering music in single and album downloads in the Windows Media format. So far, only Warner Music has signed up so their music range may be limited. They have been approached by other labels and expect further discussions with these to try and offer more music labels in their music range.
BigPond currently offer a broadband service and would like to use this broadband service as a means of selling their music, rather than as an online music store like the other download music services. BigPond broadband will have their purchases added to their monthly bill and will be entitled to special deals and discounts. Tracks are expected to sold at around AUD $ 2 (US$ 1.38) per single track while full albums download will be priced much cheaper than downloading all the tracks individually.
With a nod towards Apple's iTunes Music Store, Telstra plans to offer both single-track and album downloads. However, with only Warner Music signed up, the service's range of songs is likely to be limited. A Telstra BigPond spokeswoman today told Australian IT that the telco has been "approached by other labels" and that it "expects other labels to make further contact with BigPond to discuss options for potential deals". In short, if you want to sell your songs here, come and talk to us. Hardly a pro-active approach, Telstra. But then Telstra's interest in selling music appears more focused on boosting the number of punters who subscribe to its BigPond broadband offering, than establishing an online music business. The online store is even called BigPond Music. The Telstra BigPond spokeswoman said that "special deals" and "significant discounts" will be offered to BigPond customers. Track purchases will be added to the subscriber's monthly bill. How much will be added? BigPond wouldn't say, but it claims downloads will be "extremely economical". Australian IT cites "insiders" who say that tracks will be sold at around AUD 2 (.38) a pop. Whole albums will be priced below what it would cost to download all the tracks individually. Songs will be offered in Windows Media format. |
This would be an interesting service for the Australian's as so far there are not any legal music download services in that country. This service does one advantage over many others and that is by charging to the consumer's ISP bill. Many users are still afraid to shop online if they must use their credit card. It is not clear what restrictions BigPond have on the tracks consumers download, but being in encoded in Microsoft's WMA likely means that the usual PC to PC transfer would not be allowed.
Source: The Register
