ROK Mobile has joined forces with Three UK to launch a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the UK with a focus on inclusive music streaming services.
The company, which in 2014 launched a similar offering in the U.S. where it recently teamed up with its third mobile operator, is offering a 30-day, SIM-only plan that combines unlimited music streaming with the option to download up to 2,000 tracks, 4 GB of data and unlimited minutes and texts for £24.99 (€35.80/$38.90).
It also provides a 30-day "test drive" option free of charge, including unlimited music, 500 MB of data, 250 minutes and 500 texts. Future plans for the UK also include a radio streaming service with personalisation options. As is the case in the U.S., global digital music and radio platform 7digital provides the support for the music service.
Simon Cole, CEO of 7digital, said: "We are delighted to be involved in the UK launch of ROK Mobile as we have worked with ROK in the U.S. for a number of years and believe their service offers a great music experience for mobile users."
The inclusive music-streaming offering is not entirely unique on the UK market. For example, Vodafone UK includes Spotify streaming services as one of three choices within its contract Red Value Bundle and prepaid Big Value Bundle plans. However, the no-commitment ROK Mobile plan is cheaper than the Vodafone Big Value Bundle, which costs £30 for a choice of Spotify, Sky Sports or NOW TV together with 4 GB of data and unlimited UK texts and minutes.
ROK Mobile stressed that its music streaming service comes without adverts and provides unlimited access to a catalogue of 20 million songs. However, the service is not zero-rated: unless it is used with a WiFi connection, it will eat into the 4 GB data allowance. Fair usage policies are also applied to the unlimited minutes, texts and music service to prevent excessive use.
In the U.S. the company has also partnered with Devicescape to allow customers to automatically access up to 20 million hotspots on Devicescape's curated Wi-Fi hotspot network.
For Three UK, the tie-up with ROK Mobile adds another MVNO with a highly targeted market focus to its growing roster of virtual players. The company only recently teamed up with the iD service from Carphone Warehouse, for example. In addition, FreedomPop is launching its free mobile services in Europe this year in its first foray outside the U.S. market, and has signed up Three UK as its first UK network provider.
For more:
- see the ROK Mobile release from 7Digital
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