Nokia launches end-to-end mobile content solution

A new Nokia initiative called Preminet aims to provide an end-to-end solution for mobile content distribution - simplifying the process for developers, operators and consumers alike.

The system features a master content catalogue which provides tools for developers to upload and market their creations to operators, who can then build their custom catalogues from this content and their own specific content.

This content is then served to consumers using a new Preminet purchasing client application which Nokia has developed to provide end-users with a better experience for finding, purchasing and installing new content.

The purchasing client, which works on all Java and Symbian phones, can be completely customised by individual operators, and intelligently detects the capabilities of the handset to determine which content is suitable for it.

According to Nokia, the system is entirely modular and operators are free to choose which elements of it they wish to use - with even the purchasing client being optional, as it can be replaced with more traditional WAP or SMS purchasing systems.

Nokia will take small revenue share of sales generated through the system, although it says that it has no intention of dictating terms between developers and operators - preferring to allow them to continue to negotiate their own terms.

The Finnish company hopes that the Preminet solution will be widely adopted by developers, operators and other handset manufacturers alike, with the firm's platform solutions director Steen Thygesen telling gi.biz that the initiative's "key mission" is "to create something that really drives this market to happen sooner and to a greater extent than would happen otherwise."

"Content is a great value add to [the mobile operator] business, but they feel the pain of having to manage this offering," he said. "Preminet allows them to offload the management of this thing which is not really core to their business, while still realising revenues from it, as well as introducing ways to accelerate that business with the new content purchasing client."