NEWS

MUMBAI: Nokia has added music label Sony BMG to its Nokia "Comes With Music" phones, offering free 12-month access to music from artists affiliated to the Sony BMG label.

The new music offering from Nokia is distinct from other packages on the market in that users can keep all the music they have downloaded during the 12 months.

Last December, Nokia had a similar deal for its "Comes With Music" phones with Universal Music. The handset manufacturer expects top labels to sign up for the offering soon.

Comes With Music is expected to launch in the second half of 2008 on a range of Nokia devices in selected markets, says an official release.

Liz Schimel, head of Nokia's music business says, "We are quite confident that we will have all the labels at the table for Comes With Music. We are progressing in those negotiations."

Sony BMG, home to artistes like Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and Celine Dion, is jointly owned by Sony Corp and German media group Bertelsmann AG.