• June 16, 2005

Napster and Ericsson announced a partnership earlier this week to offer a new digital music service aimed at mobile phone customers. The Swedish telecom and Napster will join elements of each companies' technologies and digital music catalog to create a new product, offering iTunes-like downloads and a monthly subscription plan sometime in the next year. Napster has made earlier moves into the mobile space, offering limited access to its service through some U.S. phone networks, and opening a ring-tone download store. The new joint venture will have to convince mobile phone operators that its mix of integration between handsets and online services is superior to that of its rivals. However, Ericsson's long-established relationships with carriers could help Napster gain ground in what is new territory for a primarily PC-focused company. --Gavin O'Malley