Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS), which owns and operates the largest, all-digital, all-PCS network in the United States, and BMG, the global music division of Bertelsmann AG, announced an agreement that delivers Music Tones from top artists to Sprint PCS Vision(SM) customers nationwide. The initial lineup of Music Tones, which are ringers that sound like the actual song, will include hits from such artists as Britney Spears, Maroon 5, 3 Days Grace, The Strokes, Kenny Chesney and Pink.
In 2003, Sprint sold more than 20 million ringers and screen savers and
was the first U.S. carrier to offer Music Tones. The deal with BMG will build
upon Sprint's extensive library of ringers ranging from pop hits to retro TV
themes to 70s classic rock.
"Sprint's portfolio of ringers allows our customers to personalize their
phones with the newest releases and chart topping songs. BMG artists represent
some of the hottest acts in music today, and Sprint is proud to deliver their
music to our Sprint PCS Vision customers," said Jeff Hallock, vice president
of consumer product marketing for Sprint.
"We are pleased to join with Sprint in providing music fans a dynamic new
way to enjoy music from their favorite artists," said Kieve Huffman, Vice
President Digital Marketing and Licensing, BMG Strategic Marketing. "The
growing ring-tone market promises a whole new platform for BMG to build
awareness for our artists."
Sprint PCS Vision customers can purchase and download ringers directly
from their Sprint PCS Vision Phones or at Sprint PCS. To access ringers
on the phone, select Menu/ Downloads/ Ringers and Get New. From there,
customers can browse the more than one thousand titles available from Sprint.
Polyphonic ringers are available for $1.50. Music Tones, animated and voice
ringers are available for $2.50.
Sprint announced 3.2 million Sprint PCS Vision customers through the end
of 2003 and leads the industry in adoption of advanced wireless data services.
Sprint PCS Vision includes services that allow customers to take and receive
pictures from select Sprint PCS Phones; browse the Internet at speeds faster
than most dial-up connections; check personal and corporate e-mail; watch
clips and stream audio for news and music; download polyphonic, animated and
voice ringers, and full-color, graphically-rich games and screen savers, all
on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network.
About Sprint
Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26
million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 67,000 employees
worldwide and over $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003, Sprint is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network
technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital,
fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint
provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of
Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless
network in the United States. For more information, visit Sprint Ringtones.
About BMG
BMG is the global music division of Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's
leading media companies. BMG owns more than 200 record labels in 41 countries
including Ariola, Arista Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Records and RCA
Label Group -- Nashville. In addition, BMG's music publishing operations are
the third largest in the world.
