July 23, 2010

By By Aymeric Pichevin, Paris

French Internet Service Provider and mobile carrier Orange and streaming service Deezer have announced a strategic partnership, effective in September 2010.

Paris-based Deezer's premium services will be included in some of Orange's Internet and mobile subscription offers, although no details have been unveiled on which offers would be concerned and whether Deezer's service would be a paid option in the pack.

Launched last fall, Deezer's premium service includes a ?4.99 ($6.43) monthly subscription, through which subscribers can access the on-demand service in a higher quality (up to 320 kbps) without advertising, and a ?9.99 ($12.87) package offering the same features plus access to Deezer's full service on compatible mobile devices.

Deezer launched as a free ad-funded service in 2007 and later added premium offers.

Billboard.biz understands that, at least in some cases, Orange clients will be able to access Deezer's services without additional charge, and that the deal between Orange and Deezer is exclusive.

Deezer and Orange also announced that they are working on merging Orange's own streaming service Wormee and Deezer in the coming weeks, and that Orange could take a minority stake in Deezer.

Deezer claims 20 million users, including 7 million in France. However, the Deezer premium offer reportedly failed to meet expectations in terms of subscriber numbers so far.

More details on this partnership will be unveiled by the end of August.

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