Tokyo-based mobile operator NTT DoCoMo will soon unveil an unlimited, full-song mobile download service, according to numerous reports from Japan.
The company is spinning the all-you-can-eat offering for a monthly fee of 2,000 yen ($16.90, 12.40 euros), a rate structure that could help NTT challenge a breakaway lead enjoyed by rival KDDI. The new service is being packaged within the premium i-mode offering, which includes a broad range of premium, mobile multimedia features. Music fans will gain access to the service in May, though upgraded phones will be required. For NTT, the move follows a number of music-related deals, including those with recommendation service MediaUnbound and Napster, which also struck a separate deal with KDDI in January.
Story by news analyst Alexandra Osorio.