According to this exclusive partnership, Universal Music will provide its catalogue of music on the operator’s platform and develop other music-related properties along with RCom.

While the deal will let Universal make money by sharing its digital library, RCom will get a share of the revenues as subscribers use the offerings.

Exclusive partnership for 3G music services
Universal Music, the world’s leading music company, will offer its entire catalogue of international and Indian music to RCom.

As part of the deal, RCom will offer music services such as ringtones, caller ringback tones, full tracks and mobile web radio streaming services to its 110 million mobile customers.

RCom said that investments would 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.

Subscribers of the service will have access to music downloads, video streaming, live concerts and ringtones on 3G mobile phones, when these services are fully operative in the country.

"The tie-up is crafted for our customers as part of RCom's 3G launch. The partnership with Universal will be leveraged to give our 110 million customers an all round, never before music experience across multiple channels and extended 3G customers at its launch," said Mahesh Prasad, president, marketing - wireless business, RCom.

RCom to launch Simply Music
RCom is launching Simply Music initiative across the country. Simply Music will offer exclusive caller tunes, ring tones, mobile radio web streaming and full track downloads.

Universal's music catalogue boasts of some of the best of Indian and western artistes such as Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, The Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem and Lady Gaga, among others. RCOM and Universal Music will also arrange exclusive Indian concerts.

Rajat Kakar, managing director of Universal Music India, said, "Wrap around, 360 degree seamless music consumption on-the-go and on the ground, both in India and overseas are some of the attributes of this exclusive initiative with RCom which will delight customers in a first of its kind initiative in India."