Nokia has a rival in digital music downloads. Vodacom is making a big play in the content space with news that it’s introducing a R39/month unlimited music download offer.

Vodacom customers have access to full-track music downloads from the company’s Vodafone Live service. Downloads from international and local artists will be available.

Significantly, consumers are able to keep the music they’ve downloaded. Standard data rates apply.

The service puts Vodacom on a collision course with Nokia. The Finnish handset manufacturer earlier this year launched its Ovi Music store service in SA, offering both unlimited downloads and ad hoc purchases.

The new system has digital rights management — a scheme to stop people transferring songs from one handset to another. The company says that if consumers buy a new handset, they will have to repurchase any music they have bought.

Nokia offers DRM-free music for ad hoc music purchases, though it’s unlimited offering is also restricted via DRM.

Vodacom managing executive Mark Taylor says all big record labels are on board with the new service.

Customers not wanting to subscribe to the unlimited music service will be able to download individual tracks for R7,50 each.

The service can be accessed by SMSing “music” to 31116.

The unlimited music offer follows hot on the heels of the company’s streaming mobile TV offering launched earlier this year.

Telecommunications operators like Vodacom have long expressed concern that third-party content providers will turn their networks into little more than low-margin “dumb pipes” for carrying content. — Staff reporter, TechCentral