The Changing Face of Mobile Music in Japan

This is an interesting two-part article on the challenge facing tradtional sellers of ringtones in Japan now that realtones – or chaku-uta – are on the scene. There’s a good description of the differences between the technologies and the rights that are required to sell them. The most interesting quote for me was what happens when people upgrade their handsets.
“When users upgrade to a new handset, they are given a list of all services to which they currently subscribe, and are asked explicitly if they wish to continue them.
At this point, many users realize they are still subscribed to a ringtone site they joined back in 1999 but haven’t used in years. In fact, it is estimated that 40% to 60% of all ringtone subscribers do not download
anything during any given month, despite paying the monthly subscription charge. The high number of these “sleeper” subscriptions has allowed ringtone providers to continue generating strong revenues while they ponder their next moves.”
Part two of the article is here.

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