Mobile media content can include images, music and other audio, video and games. The success of the ringtone market has opened the eyes of many in the media –and particularly in the music industry. The media industry sees the mobile channel as an important new way of reaching its customers.

The mobile channel complements traditional media channels such as TV, radio and the internet, bringing benefit from the unique characteristics of the mobile channel:

• Customized/personalized, interactive information that is “always with you,” instant and up-to-date, anytime, anywhere
• Including both downlink and uplink for interactivity
• Billing relationship in place
• Multimedia, combining text, video and audio

The digitalization of media content is also showing promise for increasing average revenue per user (ARPU). Bringing the large media providers into the wireless market will help drive the uptake of 3G and ensure its success.

Included in the Consumers and Communities area part of the Ericsson multimedia portfolio are solutions for mobile TV & video, advertising, On device portals, content management, music and entertainment.

The solutions include offerings for enablers, applications, clients and professional services (integration, business advice, hosting and managed services).

Ericsson content & media solutions enable service providers to offer consumers attractive and easy-to-use multimedia services based on content themes or user interests rather than technology. This is achieved through the ability to combine several delivery mechanisms, such as MMS, SMS, download, streaming and broadcasting.
Delivery can take place over mobile or fixed networks, or a combination. Regardless of delivery method, service providers can use common support functions such as content management (content-provider interface and workflow support) and digital rights management to protect content rights.