Deutsche Telekom selects RealNetworks to power its ringback tones
T-Mobile customers in Germany, Austria and Czech Republic to benefit from a richer, more engaging personalized mobile experience
SEATTLE and LONDON, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- RealNetworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNWK) today announced it has been selected by one of the world's leading integrated telecommunications companies, Deutsche Telekom, to offer a fully managed ringback tone service to more than 44 million mobile subscribers across Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Starting in early 2013, customers of T-Mobile Germany, Austria and Czech Republic will be able to further customize their mobile experience by replacing the standard tone with their favorite music tracks for callers to enjoy before the call is answered. The service will be available to both postpaid and prepaid customers and will work across all handset types and models.
Mobile operators are increasingly seeking to offer richer content and media as a way to delight their subscribers and differentiate their products and services. RealNetworks' managed services give mobile network operators such as Deutsch Telekom significant advantages in fully customizing subscribers' entertainment experiences while creating new revenue streams.
"We are delighted to partner with RealNetworks to enable our subscribers true customization of their ringback tones," said Michael Pasch, vice president of global music and video at Deutsche Telekom. "We are always looking for new ways to help our subscribers get the most from their mobile experience, and partnering with RealNetworks offers the ideal vehicle to do this. RealNetworks' experience as a worldwide leader in the ringback tone service, combined with its local knowledge, marketing and product management abilities, was central in Deutsche Telekom's selection of the company as its latest partner. We have seen strong demand already and are looking forward to seeing take up rates continue to increase."
"RealNetworks has a strong history of providing consumers with entertaining experiences, applications and services that make it easy to connect with and enjoy digital media," said Kenneth Murphy, RealNetworks' area vice president for Europe. "When working with any operator, our marketing experts provide flexible and seamlessly tailored services to address local market demands and situations. We are committed to making the ringback tone service a major success for Deutsche Telekom and look forward to working together to launch more innovative, engaging products in the future."
The recent partnership with Deutsche Telekom adds to RealNetworks' strong business footprint in Europe, where it now provides video, music, games and convergence services to 18 telecommunications providers.
For more details on RealNetworks' ringback tone services please visit http://www.realnetworks.com/products-services/saas/ringback-tones.aspx
About Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom is one of the world's leading integrated telecommunications companies with almost 130 million mobile customers, 33 million fixed-network lines and more than 17 million broadband lines (as of June 30, 2012). The Group provides fixed-network, mobile communications, Internet and IPTV products and services for consumers, and ICT solutions for business and corporate customers. Deutsche Telekom is present in around 50 countries and has over 233,000 employees worldwide. The Group generated revenue of EUR 58.7 billion in the 2011 financial year - over half of it outside Germany (as of December 31, 2011).
About Real Networks, Inc.
RealNetworks creates innovative applications and services that make it easy for people to connect with and enjoy digital media. RealNetworks invented the streaming media category in 1995 and continues to connect consumers with their digital media both directly and through partners, aiming to support every network, device, media type and social network. RealNetworks corporate information is located at www.realnetworks.com.
SOURCE RealNetworks, Inc.
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