Capital Radio plc and Nokia launch CapitalM8, the UK’s first cross-network interactive radio service for mobile phones

Capital Radio plc, Nokia, Rocking Frog, BT’s mobile personalisation experts, and source O2, mmO2’s incubator for enabling wireless application partnerships, today announce the forthcoming launch of CapitalM8 (pronounced ‘Capital mate’), the first interactive radio service for mobile phones working across all networks using SMS, WAP and GPRS technology.

CapitalM8 uses technology developed for Nokia and Capital Radio by BT’s Rocking Frog. All parties bring their relevant areas of expertise to create the unique service; 95.8 Capital FM is supplying the content, Nokia and source O2 have supported and facilitated the proposition and Rocking Frog has provided its personalisation technology platform and developed the application.

The CapitalM8 service will be available to 95.8 Capital FM listeners on the single SMS short-code, 83133, as well as via WAP, GPRS and the Web.

CapitalM8 will launch mid June with the following features:

- Dedic8 – allows users to “dedicate” a track to a friend, who will be alerted to the dedication 15 minutes before the track is played. Dedications can be accompanied with a text greeting from the sender
- PlayM8 – allows users to find out the name of both the last track and the track currently playing, along with the name of the artist
- RingM8 – Users can select and download Capital’s top new tracks as ringtones directly from their mobile phone

Additional services such as gig guides, news and alerts for on-air features will also follow in due course.

The interactive service between the user and 95.8 Capital FM can be used by any SMS or WAP phone but its best features will be maximised using phones that have both GPRS functionality and an FM Radio e.g. the Nokia 8310 or Nokia 6510.

Nathalie Schwarz, Director of Strategy and Development at Capital Radio said: “The launch of CapitalM8 is another step in Capital Radio’s strategy to distribute branded content across new platforms such as mobile radio and Internet. These groundbreaking services will add value to the listener experience, build loyalty and strengthen Capital’s relationship with our audiences. In turn, the personalisation technology creates the ability to profile listener preferences, which will provide our advertisers with targeted advertising and marketing opportunities. CapitalM8 is a natural progression in the evolution of radio listening, paving the way for the development of mobile phones with digital radio chips.”

Matt Wisk, Vice President, Customer Marketing, Nokia Networks said: “The mobile Internet is no longer just about voice, but about interactive data and entertainment services. CapitalM8, and Nokia’s co-operation with Rocking Frog and source O2, demonstrate that attractive GPRS applications for users are now a reality. The arrival of GPRS is an exciting revenue opportunity for mobile operators as they can cost-effectively work with developers and content providers to create applications attractive to their users.”

Tony Rubin, CEO designate of Rocking Frog said: “Personalisation and location-based technology for mobile devices can be applied to just about anything that people enjoy doing. If you know that someone likes a particular song or you want your mates to check out a new track – you will be able to text your friends and let them know when it’s just about to be played on Capital. Rocking Frog, and more importantly Capital Radio, believes that the ability to send dedication or ‘check this out’ style messages is also a key driver for consumers to use this service.”

Bob Cummings, New Wireless Ventures Manager at O2 said: “We are very pleased to be involved with launching CapitalM8, and that source O2 has enabled the first common short-code in the country. For the first time an SMS service will be available cross-network, to any mobile phone user in the UK. source O2 is all about partnering with wireless application developers, and we are delighted to be getting great services, like CapitalM8, out there.”

For the CapitalM8 service via GPRS or WAP, standard call charges apply plus 25p for each CapitalM8 message received and £1.50 for ringtones. The CapitalM8 SMS service is charged at standard rates for texting plus 25p for PlayM8, 50p for Dedic8 and a maximum of £2.25 for RingM8.

For further information:

Nokia UK
Mark Squires
Tel: +44 1223 423123
mark.squires@nokia.com


Notes to editors:

CapitalM8 is the first customised application, based on a generic service called Tune2Radio™, developed by Rocking Frog, the wireless data technology business within BTexact Technologies' corporate incubator Brightstar, Nokia and source O2. It is an early application of Rocking Frog's core mobile personalisation technology based on unique patents developed by BTexact, BT’s advanced research and technology business.

source O2 is the wireless technology partner for this venture, and has enabled this service to be accessed via the first cross-network SMS short-code, which is 83133, for a seamless service available to all UK mobile users.

About Capital Radio:
Capital Radio is the UK’s leading commercial radio group, with 20 analogue stations in major metropolitan areas, including the flagship station 95.8 Capital FM in London. The group has over 8 million listeners, with a core audience aged 15-44. Capital has strong brands and a reputation for creating high quality music content and is working with partners such as Nokia to distribute this content across new platforms, by exploiting innovations in the mobile phone arena and new technologies such as digital radio.

About Nokia:
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.

About Rocking Frog:
Rocking Frog is the wireless data technology business within BTexact Technologies', BT’s advanced research and technology business, corporate incubator Brightstar. The underlying premise of Rocking Frog's technology is that as advanced mobile devices and networks become increasingly available, users will require their mobile phones to provide relevant, timely, personal and business-related information and services appropriate to their location and in accordance with their own pre-set personal profile. Tune2Radio™ effectively demonstrates how personalised mobile entertainment services can be created in conjunction with media companies such as radio stations.

About source O2:
source O2 is an mmO2 initiative to enable wireless application partnerships. We provide application developers with an opportunity to launch their products on 2G, 2.5G and (in time) 3G networks, and reach mmO2 customers.

Successful developers will gain access to dedicated facilities at Ealing Studios in West London, and a technical and commercial team to help get their product through testing and integration to commercial launch.

Developers should register their details on the source O2 web site to start the process. The web site also contains technical data, white papers and information on training, consultancy and testing connection to GPRS. www.sourceo2.com

mmO2 has 100% ownership of mobile network operators in four countries: the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), the Netherlands (Telfort Mobiel), and Ireland (Digifone). Additionally it has operations on the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and a leading mobile internet portal business, Genie. mmO2 has approximately 17.25 million customers and over 15,000 employees, with revenues for the year ended 31 March 2001 of £3.2 billion.