US / Europe : Vodafone and RealNetworks, announced a multi-year global partnership to support Vodafone's music services across Europe.

The agreement will make RealNetworks' compelling mobile music services, including Internet radio-style streaming music and the ability to purchase and download full songs, available to Vodafone customers in Europe.These services are available today from Vodafone in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Romania and the UK.

Inset is John Giamatteo of RealNetworks quoted below.

The Internet radio-style streaming music service is available in France. These services are currently provided to Vodafone by Sony NetServices, a joint venture of Sony DADC and Sony Europe that was acquired today by RealNetworks (see companion release).

"Vodafone is excited to be partnering with RealNetworks, helping our customers enjoy their favourite music, from anywhere and at anytime," said Dirk Wierzbitzki, Global Director of Consumer Product Marketing, Vodafone. "Real offers Vodafone a unique combination of industry-leading technology and the ability to deliver compelling entertainment services that enhance our customers' mobile experience. We look forward to working with them."

"As the world's leading mobile communications company, Vodafone is the ideal partner to deepen Real's presence in the global mobile marketplace," said John Giamatteo ( inset ), President of Technology Products and Solutions and International Operations, RealNetworks. "We are uniquely suited to offer Vodafone customers a compelling and easy-to-use personalized music experience that takes full advantage of the reach and speed of Vodafone's superior 3G networks across Europe."

The Vodafone partnership provides Real with a foundation to deliver its full portfolio of digital entertainment services to Vodafone customers. In working with Vodafone, Real will leverage the technology and expertise it has gained in operating music services around the world. This includes the platform gained through today's acquisition of Sony NetServices, whose technology center and infrastructure in Salzburg, Austria, will continue to support delivery of music services to Vodafone customers, as well as the capabilities gained from its acquisition of WiderThan, a global leader in providing digital music services that can be delivered to, and synchronized across, customers' mobile device and their PC.

With the addition of Vodafone as a customer, RealNetworks now has 12 music on demand customers with more than 196 million mobile subscribers in 11 countries. Real's Technology and Product Solutions division provides services on an ASP basis to more than 75 communications carriers in 37 countries worldwide.

Vodafone music services are available on Vodafone live!, the industry leading communications and multimedia service. Vodafone live! gives customers access to a range of entertainment services such as TV, music, games, ringtones, news, sports and information; as well as easy access to leading Internet services on your mobile.