Napster to Enter Ringtone Market

Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Napster announced today that it has forged an agreement with Dwango Wireless, a leading mobile developer and publisher of entertainment content to launch "Napster Mobile" across major North American carriers. "Napster Mobile" will initially offer wireless customers access to ring tones and will be the first mobile music content provider to utilize an integrated solution extending from the PC to mobile devices via exclusive device-targeted promotional offers redeemable for PC downloads and subscription service through Napster's PC-based digital music service.

"We are excited to be working with Dwango to bring the Napster brand into the innovative and very fast growing ringtone business," said Chris Gorog, Napster's chairman and CEO, "Napster Mobile is a natural extension for the biggest brand in digital music and will enhance our development of wireless delivery."

The service, which is scheduled to launch in the U.S. and Canada in 2005, will include a specially designed Napster interface. Napster Mobile customers will be able to choose ringtones that fit their lifestyle, musical tastes and mood from an extensive song catalog while they earn credits for use on Napster's full-featured PC service.

"It is incredibly exciting to work with Napster to extend its popular brand and award-winning service to the wireless arena," Alexander Conrad, president and COO of Dwango Wireless. "We are thrilled to partner with them for several new distribution approaches, including access to Napster's community, PC network and pre-paid card channels. The combination of Napster's reputation and expertise with Dwango's extensive relationships with mobile carriers, high-quality service will make a major impact on the mobile entertainment industry".

Source: Napster