MUMBAI: After having won the the license to offer 3G services in 13 key circles in the country Reliance Communications has announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Universal Music to offer music-related services and content across RCom's GSM, CDMA, 3G Mobile and Wireless Broadband platforms.

The agreement between Reliance Communications and Universal Music has been signed with a commitment of substantial investments to be made by both the parties to offer 360 degree music experience to customers across all platforms including Voice, WAP, Web, IVR, Blog & through On-Ground events.

The agreement with Universal is a prelude to RCom's 3G launch since music offers the potential to provide the best consumer experience on 3G network. Universal will offer its entire catalogue of international and Indian music to RCom. Universal's music catalogue boasts of some of the best of Indian and western billboard artists such as Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, The Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem, Lady Gaga amongst Others.

RCom and Universal Music will also arrange exclusive Indian concerts with Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mohit Chauhan and others. The partners will also line-up international concert with contemporary pop singers currently ruling the billboard charts worldwide.

Commenting on its partnership with Universal Music, Reliance Communications president marketing – wireless business Mahesh Prasad said, Our exclusive partnership with Universal Music is among the tie-ups crafted for our customers as part of RCom's 3G launch. The Universal partnership will be leveraged to launch Simply Music Initiative for our 110 million mobile customers with an all around never before music experience across multiple channels and extended to 3G customers at its launch. The Simply Music Initiative will keep the customer engaged on an ongoing basis by providing exclusive and differentiated music content....

Says Universal Music managing director India Rajat Kakar said, Universal Music is delighted to partner with Reliance to offer the Indian consumers a Money can't buy... proposition! Our Global expertise combined with the power of some of the finest International and Domestic content will deliver to Simply Music consumers never before musical experiences. Wrap around, 360 degree, seamless music consumption on-the-go, on ground, both in India and Overseas are some of the attributes of this exclusive initiative with RCom which will enthrall and delight consumers in a first of its kind initiative in India....

As part of the first consumer effort Reliance Communications is launching Simply Music Initiative across the country. This is a holistic music pack offering services like exclusive caller tunes, ring tones, Mobile Radio Web Streaming, Full tracks etc for all Reliance customers across GSM and CDMA networks. Simply Music comprises of two unique packs – Gold and Platinum.

The Simply Music Gold Pack will comprise of three full length track, three ringtone, four callertunes and 30 minutes mobile Radio Web streaming. This pack will be available for a monthly subscription of Rs 25 only. The Simply Music Platinum Pack will comprise of 10 full length tracks, 10 ringtones, 10 callertunes and 100 minutes of mobile Radio Web streaming. The Platinum pack will be available for a monthly subscription of Rs 99 only.

As the use and demand for smartphones increases and driven by increased consumer spending on leisure items and entertainment services, Reliance Communications sees a huge opportunity to reach out to these young at heart... GSM customers through such differentiated offerings following the roll-out of its 3G services in India. Reliance will ensure that the music content offered through these partnerships will have mass appeal as well as extensive usage potential besides providing entertainment for leisure time.

RCom's agreement with Universal Music is in line with similar deals signed by the conglomerate with other global operators across the globe including with UK Orange, SingTel, Digi Malaysia, Bouygues Telecom, France Orange, Belgium Base and other Eastern European Operators 

With 3G service to start its operations in India soon, one can expect a lot more deals of such fashion to happen, providing the much needed revenue boost to the music industry.