Robbie rings the changes

Source: Fairfax Digital

Robbie Williams's concerts will be broadcast live on mobile phones around the world in a deal set to revolutionise the music industry. But Australian mobile phone carriers were keeping quiet on Friday about the big names they've secured ahead of the launches of their 3G networks. Williams, who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, has teamed up with international mobile phone giant, T-mobile. Fans will be able to download exclusive Robbie Williams tracks directly to their phones - they will need the latest models - plus watch Williams as he swaggers around on stage during live concert feeds.

It is a significant upgrade from current technologies which only allow songs to be downloaded to computers first before being uploaded to phones.

The Williams deal highlights the push by mobile networks to lure customers with enriched mobile content.

"The future is music by mobile," the singer said.

But Australian mobile companies, many of whom will switch to advanced 3G networks by the end of the year, refused to reveal who they've signed up.
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"We are the largest operator so we've got really good relationships with major record companies so there will be lots of exciting content coming," a Vodafone spokeswoman teased.

"But it's too early to confirm what sign-ups we do have," she said.

Telstra also would not divulge the exclusive access its customers will get when it launches its 3G network.

"We will have a whole range of interesting and innovative mobile content at launch. But it is too early to talk about those content offerings," a Telstra spokesman said.

But Telstra's BigPond online music store may provide some kind of guide as to what to we can expect.

The site offered access to Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan first single days before the song was released in stores across the country. And it also gave exclusive access to singles by Coldplay, INXS and Pete Murray.

The other main carrier, Optus, would also not say what kind of exclusive mobile phone content it is going to offer.