Strategic Partnership with Universal Music Paves Way for Unlimited Music Experience for The Qtel Group Customers

The Qtel Group today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for an exclusive Strategic Marketing Partnership (SMP) with Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, to offer unlimited music for customers across key international markets.

Under the terms of the MoU, which is the first of its kind to be announced in the MENA region, operators within The Qtel Group will be able to offer unlimited music downloads via mobile and the Internet to its customers. This strategic partnership will allow people to establish special communities for song-sharing and discussing the latest hits and releases. An exciting differentiator from other content download offers is that this Qtel Group/Universal Music Group partnership provides access to exclusive events, animations and special concerts for customers.

Universal Music has the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, representing more than 3,500 artists from all genres and periods, including more number one artists than any other music company. This unmatched music collection will provide customers with access to classic tracks and the latest hits via their mobile and their computer.

Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of The Qtel Group, explains: “We are seeing a major shift in music consumption behaviour from traditional media into online and now the mobile phones. Customers now expect to have access to their favourite music communities while on the move. This partnership with Universal Music will address this changing need of our customers.”

“We will offer an interactive music experience in partnership with Universal Music Group that will surpass everyone’s expectations, bringing together music, videos, communities and entertainment news, as well as pre-album releases,” added Dr. Nasser. “The Qtel Group will even make it possible for our customers to meet their favourite stars and interact online with a whole community of music lovers.”

Rob Wells, Senior Vice President, Digital, for Universal Music Group International, said: “Universal Music is pleased and proud to support the launch of this new service from The Qtel Group, which will reach out to a huge potential audience in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Working together, we will provide one of the best music offerings in the world.”

Kuwait, Qatar and Oman are among the first markets targeted for the new service in 2010, with plans to roll-out into more markets over the coming months.