NTT DoCoMo Inc. plans to make available the flat-rate pricing service of U.S. online music distributor Napster LLC for its new cellphone handsets to be marketed from this summer, informed sources said Saturday. Music distribution has been available for mobile phones at about 300 yen per track in Japan. In the U.S. market, Napster offers more than 2 million pieces of music for users at fixed-rate charges equivalent to about 1,100-1,600 yen a month, they added. 

In October last year, Napster and a group of investors including Tower Records Japan Inc. established Napster Japan Inc. in Tokyo to launch a business to distribute music to digital mobile music players in Japan later this year. NTT DoCoMo has a capital alliance with Tower Records. The fixed-rate online music distribution service will become available for NTT DoCoMo’s new handsets, F902iS, that go on sale this summer, the sources said. Continue>>

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Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!