AT&T Wireless Lets the Digital Music Play

New music service lets mMode customers preview and download tunes, get artist info, and buy CDs using their mobile phones.

AT&T Wireless Services began serenading its customers with a new music service Wednesday that allows them to preview music, download artists' images, and purchase CDs and ring tones over their mobile phones.

The carrier is making all the musical offerings available from Wednesday to its mMode data plan customers, while several are also available to voice plan customers using the company's VoiceInfo service, which is available by dialing #121.

The music services add to the recent rash of offerings launched by the company as it strives to take advantage of its growing next-generation network.

Playing Games

Earlier this week the company announced a deal with Yahoo, allowing customers to use Yahoo Messenger over their phones, and the company has also signed an agreement with Sega of America to offer games.

Additionally, the carrier is offering a collection of Java-powered phones that will enable customers to download more sophisticated games and entertainment content.

The new music services are expected to be some of the most popular next-generation offerings, however, as consumers have shown a penchant for music and mobility. As part of the services, customers can access songs, artist information, pictures, and tour dates from Warner Music Group, which is the first major music company to offer its tunes through AT&T Wireless.

Shopping Services

Users can also purchase CDs, thanks to a deal with Amazon.com, and download ring tones from the carrier's library. The ring tones are priced at between $0.99 and $1.99, and users of the company's soon-to-be-unveiled polyphonic-capable phones can download polyphonic tunes, which play through real speakers delivering richer sounds.

For radio heads, the Now Playing by YES service will also allow users to find out the title and artist for songs playing on over 1,000 participating radio stations via their mobile phones. By entering the station's call letters, users can access the title and artists of the last four songs the station has played. This service is available to both voice and data customers, using the VoiceInfo service.

Additionally, the Redmond, Washington, carrier said that it plans to seal more deals with music companies in coming months in an effort to expand its offerings.

AT&T Wireless currently boasts 20 million customers throughout the U.S.