07/03/2005

World's first 3G radio player launched

Virgin Radio is set to become the first radio station to become globally available via 3G phones.

The UK radio broadcaster has teamed up with Sydus, specialists in music to mobile streaming, in order to make the radio station available through mobile phones.

The new development will allow millions of listeners to access Virgin Radio through their phone wherever there is a mobile signal. Virgin Radio will be available via the new technology, as well as the company's two digital stations, Virgin Radio Classic Rock and Virgin Radio Groove.

Users can download the free Sydus software from www.virginradio.co.uk . It installs a small application on the user's mobile phone and launching the application via the Virgin Radio logo on the handset gives the user access to the station, in stereo sound, via the mobile phone's hands-free headsets.

Commenting on the new partnership, James Cridland, Head of New Media at Virgin Radio said: "This application will enable anyone, anywhere to listen to Virgin Radio simply with the phone in their pocket. This allows us to tap into a huge new audience and keep radio relevant for a new generation of listeners. It places radio at the heart of the 3G revolution.”

Saumil Nanavati, President of Sydus, said: “This radio player is what the 3G network was built for, giving consumers high quality and high data products through a handset in their pocket. With Sydus, Virgin Radio has become the first brand to be available globally through a truly mobile music service.”

The new technology works on selected 2.5G and 3G terminals and customers can currently choose from 30 compatible handsets, available from a range of manufacturers, including Nokia and Samsung.

Sydus has said that over 14.9 million customers around the world will be able to use the service straight away and they expect the number of users to rise "rapidly" as 3G phones become more common.

The new technology is expected to prove most popular in mobile markets where service providers offer unlimited data bundle deals, such as the US, Singapore, China, Italy and Australia. However Virgin Radio and Sydus have confirmed that they are in discussions with UK network operators to encourage a move towards packaging greater data.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 February 2011
BBC Radio To 'Extend Its Distinctive Appeal'
A BBC Trust review has concluded that BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 are much loved and highly valued by the millions of licence fee payers that listen every week.
26 April 2012
'Still No Evidence' Mobile Phones Affect Health
There is still no evidence mobile phones harm human health, a major safety review for the UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said. Scientists reviewed hundreds of studies of mobile exposure and found no conclusive links to cancer risk, brain function or infertility.
11 December 2009
Asian Radio Presenter Murdered
Police in Glasgow are investigation the "brutal" killing of a radio presenter at her home. Nasim Jamil, who worked for Asian radio station Awaz FM, was found by family in her Byres Road flat on Wednesday. Strathclyde Police said she had last been seen earlier in the day. A postmortem examination is currently underway on Ms Jamil's remains.
19 October 2004
BBC digitial radio goes 'above and beyond' expectations
The BBC has gone "above and beyond" what is expected of it by the government when it comes to the delivery of digital radio services, according to an independent report published today.
13 February 2015
Virgin Media To Create Thousands Of Jobs Following Broadband Investment
Up to 6,000 new jobs could be created with a £3 billion investment in fibre optic broadband Virgin Media has announced. The company, which currently has five million customers, said that the investment is the largest in the UK for more than a decade and would be worth £8bn in terms of stimulating economic activity.