Customers can see, hear and buy music from their favorite artists
REDMOND, Wash. --(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Oct 16, 2002--AT&T; Wireless (NYSE: AWE) has engaged top entertainment companies to bring a host of new and unique music offerings to its nearly 20 million customers. Beginning today, AT&T; Wireless customers can preview new music, find the name and artist of a song they just heard on the radio, learn more about their favorite artists, download an artist`s image, order a CD, buy a ring tone and more.
For the first time, subscribers can enter the mega music worlds of Warner Music Group and Amazon.com by using the phone’s keypad on mMode(sm) or by dialing #121 from their handset and using voice commands. Customers can now see, hear and buy the hottest hits, coolest ring tones and most recent releases - all directly from their wireless phones.
''This is a milestone for the industry,'' says Andre Dahan, president of AT&T; Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services. ''With the help of some of the top names in the entertainment business, we`re changing where, when and how people find, listen to and buy music. Music spans all generations and we believe this new collection of music services will appeal to our diverse customer base.''
Topping the Charts
AT&T; Wireless now offers many services within the music category, including several first-of-its-kind features:
Warner Music - Warner Music Group is the first major music company to bring its legendary labels and artists to AT&T; Wireless phones. Warner Music and AT&T; Wireless give subscribers everything they need to know about their favorite artists. Customers in the U.S. can get instant access to the latest song clips, artist information, artist images, and tour dates. They can also buy CDs, ring tones, and even download photos of featured artists. Warner Music Group, the division of AOL Time Warner, is home to some of the world`s leading record labels, including Atlantic, Electra, Warner Bros., Maverick, Lava and Rhino Records.
Now Playing by YES(TM) - Ever hear a great new song on the radio and wish the DJ would name the artist? With Now Playing by YES(TM), customers simply enter a radio station’s call letters when the song is over to find out the title and artist of the last four songs played. More than 1,000 different radio stations support this service across the country. Only AT&T; Wireless offers Now Playing to its entire customer base through its AT&T; Wireless #121 VoiceInfo service. Customers can see and hear the latest songs, the artist`s name, CD titles, get album reviews and even buy the CD on the spot.
Editor`s Choice by Amazon.com - For hand-picked music selections, Amazon.com`s Editor`s Choice lets customers be the first to know and listen to the best new music. Those with their fingers on the industry pulse offer their recommendations. Customers can listen to a music clip right from their phone before they buy the CD using Amazon.com’s award-winning 1-ClickTM ordering and web services platform.
In making the announcement, Paul Vidich, executive vice president of strategic planning and business development for Warner Music Group, said, ''This agreement signals an important step in the evolution of marketing and selling music, and we`re delighted that Warner Music Group is the first major music-company to be featured on the AT&T; Wireless service. With AT&T; Wireless` expertise in the wireless market and its vast subscriber base, we will be able to provide our record labels with a powerful new way to connect artists and fans, virtually anywhere, anytime.''
Other new tracks now playing exclusively on mMode include thousands of album reviews, artist images, and music recommendations from Rhapsody(sm) 411, a service by Listen.com; and news, information and mobile communities for chatting about today’s hottest hip-hop from Upoc Music. AT&T; Wireless also intends to expand its music offerings to provide additional services in the months ahead.
Pricing and Availability
Music offerings from AT&T; Wireless are available to the company`s nearly 20 million customers across the country. All music services are available today through mMode service and several, including Warner Music, Now Playing, Editor`s Choice by Amazon.com, are also accessible using AT&T; Wireless #121 VoiceInfo service. mMode customers can access music content through the Music menu under the Entertainment channel.
Customers do not pay any additional fees to enjoy these music services beyond those of AT&T; Wireless` standard voice and mMode plan rates. Subscribers who use AT&T; Wireless #121 VoiceInfo service simply use minutes from their existing voice plan account. Downloadable ring tones vary from $.99 to $1.99, depending on the tune selected.
Sights and Sounds that go Beyond Bells and Whistles
Recent advancements in technology, from devices to enhanced software technology on the handset have converged to enable the music capabilities launched today. ''Next-generation wireless devices, networks and applications allow us to offer our customers a music experience never before possible on wireless phones,'' said Dahan.
Polyphonic ring tones are among these advancements. Polyphonic ring tones are melodies that play through a real speaker delivering a rich, full sound. Certain new phones contain small sound cards that can play bass, piano, guitar and drums in a single melody.
The AT&T; Wireless library of polyphonic ring tones is one of the largest collections in the U.S., offering hundreds of songs for $1.99 each. In the coming weeks, AT&T; Wireless will offer two polyphonic-capable phones the Motorola T720 and the Nokia 3590. Customers may order polyphonic ring tones via the Web, their mMode-capable phone or on-demand using text messaging service. Visit www.attwireless.com/text and select ''Ring Tones'' for more information or to download a ring tone.
Additional equipment attachments, such as MP3 players and FM radios, are also available for purchase at www.attwsaccessories.com/direct/att/phonelist.jsp With these new music offers, AT&T; Wireless customers can enjoy their favorite tunes where, when and how they want to do so.
About AT&T; Wireless
AT&T; Wireless (NYSE: AWE) is the largest independently traded wireless carrier in the United States, following our split from AT&T; on July 9, 2001. We operate one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America. With more than 19.5 million subscribers, and full-year 2001 revenues exceeding $13.6 billion, AT&T; Wireless is committed to being among the first to deliver the next generation of wireless products and services. Today, we offer customers high-quality mobile wireless communications services, voice or data, to businesses or consumers, in the U.S. and internationally. AT&T; Wireless Customer Advantage is our commitment to ensure that customers have the right equipment, the right calling plan, and the right customer services options - today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit us at www.attwireless.com
This press release contains ''forward-looking statements'' which are based on management`s beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by management with information that is currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, management`s expectations regarding: our future financial and operating performance and financial condition, including specific projections and guidance for fiscal year 2002; subscriber growth; industry conditions; the strength of our balance sheet; and our liquidity and needs for additional financing.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside AT&T; Wireless` control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Without limitation these factors include: the risks associated with the implementation of a third-generation network and business technology, and the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate.
For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see AT&T; Wireless` filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the heading ''Risk Factors'' and ''Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements'' in its annual report of Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2002. AT&T; Wireless disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
|
