US streaming music service Rhapsody has struck a deal with mobile operator MetroPCS to bundle its service into its $60 monthly tariff for Android handsets. People on the plan will get full access to the Rhapsody Unlimited service, meaning this deal goes beyond previous agreements with operators to preload the Rhapsody app on devices but not bundle its cost into their mobile bills. You can also compare this deal to Cricket Wireless’ Muve Music service, in that MetroPCS appeals to a similar demographic of Americans who may not be existing digital music buyers. Rhapsody president Jon Urwin tells Music Ally that he hopes this kind of deal will convince larger US operators like Verizon, AT&T and Sprint to consider their own bundled offerings (more on that in tonight’s Music Ally Report). However, one downside to the MetroPCS offering is that Warner Music Group appears to be sitting it out: CNET reports that WMG tracks will not be available to MetroPCS Rhapsody users. Meanwhile, All Things Digital questions the size of the discount for MetroPCS users, given the existence of a Rhapsody-less $50 monthly plan (albeit with a cap on multimedia streaming).
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