Strategy Analytics: Orange UK Full Track Music Download Service is 'Top of the Pops'; Critical Challenges of Poor Download Speeds and Price/DRM Issues Remain

Business Wire, Sept 27, 2005

BOSTON -- Strategy Analytics, the global research and consulting company, today released its latest mobile application benchmark report, "Orange UK Full Music Track Download Service is Top of the Pops... But Poor Download Speeds and Price Critical Barriers to Uptake," which concludes that Orange has the Best in Class Full Music Track Download service in the UK, with a 15-plus point performance gap over O2 and Vodafone. These results are based on the results of hands-on consumer testing by Strategy Analytics' Advanced Wireless User Panel.

The Orange music service leads in five out of six test categories, including: Speed of Portal Navigation, Speed of Download, Clarity of Catalog Interface, and Portal Layout/Usability. By comparison, Vodafone's Music Service posted the worst performance across the basket of attributes tested, due mainly to functionality and interface challenges.

"All first generation Full Track Music Download services in the UK receive a failing grade on download speeds, price and DRM," noted Kevin Nolan, Director of the Advanced Wireless Laboratory at Strategy Analytics. "Operators must address these key weaknesses in order to realize their visions of mobile music revenues."

Phil Taylor, Director of Strategy Analytics Wireless Data Applications research, added, "Consumers are acutely aware of the limitations of cellular music services in terms of download speed, impact on battery life and device memory, and lack of content portability, not to mention price differentials between cellular and online services such as iTunes. Until operators address these limitations, Strategy Analytics expects very low levels of Full Music Track Download usage via the cellular network."

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. - a global research and consulting firm - provides timely insights and strategic business solutions to companies operating at the convergence of information, communications and entertainment technologies. With worldwide headquarters in Boston, MA and principal offices in England, France and Germany, Strategy Analytics focuses on market opportunities and challenges in the areas of Automotive Electronics & Multimedia, Digital Consumer, Wireless Strategies and Enabling Technologies. For more information, see www.strategyanalytics.com