Alltel to Offer XM Satellite Radio

August 10, 2006 – 8:38 am

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Today Alltel and XM radio announced a deal that will give Alltel cellular customers access to XM satellite radio using their cell phone handsets.

Users that wish to use this service would pay $7.99 a month and have access to 20 genres of XM’s commercial free satellite radio stations. Genres include the 70s, 80s and 90s decades channels, Top 20 on 20 (Top 20 Hits), Ethel (New Alternative Rock), The City (Hip-Hop/R&B Hits), XMU (Indie Rock), Bluesville (Blues), Highway 16 (New Country Hits), and Viva (Latin Pop Hits). The name of the song, the artist and the album will display on the phone as it plays.

“As consumers continue to turn their wireless phones into mobile entertainment hubs, Alltel Wireless continues to explore partnerships to build on our extensive portfolio of content,” said Frank O’Mara, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Alltel Wireless. “Having America’s largest wireless network, partner with America’s largest satellite radio provider was a natural fit, and we know our customers will enjoy XM’s stellar line-up of programming.”

Alltel already offers commercial free radio programming with their Axcess program, but the company feels that XM is a recognized name that could attract more customers and subscribers.

Competition to provide mobile content has heated up significantly and rival Nokia just announced that they are purchasing Loudeye, a mobile content and distribution company, to provide more entertainment choices for their wireless customers.

As the world grows more mobile I think we’ll be seeing more alliances to keep consumers eyes and ears occupied.

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