Nokia Unveils Mobile Content Distribution Platform

Officials from Finnish mobile giant Nokia have announced the launch of Preminet – a new turnkey solution designed to streamline the distribution process for mobile phone games and applications. Preminet will source Java and Symbian OS software from developers and content aggregators to create a master catalog of applications, games and other mobile content. It is also intended to offer operators a complete solution for delivery, billing and revenue distribution. In so doing, the aim is to provide an end-to-end, operator-brandable platform for launching new applications and services. Preminet is designed to be as modular as possible, enabling operators to use or ignore certain elements, in favor of their own existing systems. Nokia will take a percentage revenue share of any sales generated through the system, while at the same time allowing developers and operators to negotiate their own financial deals. Nokia hope that that the system will unburden operators who have previously had to maintain numerous different relationships with individual developers. According to Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia: "With Preminet, we now provide a single source for operators to acquire a comprehensive range of industry certified content, applications and services, and a complete platform for managing distribution to their customers. Operators now have the ability to launch a differentiated service offering in a very simple manner without major investment." Representatives from mobile publisher Starcut have already announced that content from the company will be available as part of Preminet. The company will now add its content, such as ring tones, graphics, games and video, to the Preminet master catalog – for operators to use and peruse as they wish. Starcut itself has licensing deals with major companies including Universal Studios and Warner Music Group.