This was the Omnifone service we mentioned back in February…it is finally getting ready to launch, right before the launch of iPhone. Omnifone’s MusicStation service has backing (means licensing, NOT funding) from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Samsung and 30 mobile phone operators and all four music majors – Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, EMI Music and Warner Music International – as well as several independent labels. Telenor, the Scandinavian operator, will be the first to launch the service in Sweden, but it is expected to be rolled out throughout Europe, Asia and Africa over the next few months. It says it has deals with 30 mobile operators in countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Russia, and others.
Subscribers will pay a flat-rate weekly fee of 2.99 euros (or the localized equivalent) to access the full catalog. The price point in Sweden will be 25SEK per week. More details in release here.

I am still not sure this will help kickstart the mobile music market, though. Yes, price points are a big part, but it is about the UI and handset experience…those need some major leaps to make this happen. That’s why trying to compete with iPhone just on price points is, well, just bad PR positioning.