adminThe launch was done at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) with the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi gracing the occasion.
In a statement, Telecel marketing director, Obert Mandimika said the service enables Telecel customers to select a song that their callers can listen to while waiting for the phone to be answered.
He said Telecel subscribers will be able to purchase a single musical ringing tone or several, which they can allocate to particular callers.
“Teletunes, will be accessible using any type of handset at a monthly purchase price of $1 per tune”, said Mandimika
He said royalties were to be paid to musicians whose songs are selected as a ringing tone.
“This is a new innovation; people can listen to their favourite song while waiting for their call to be answered. This is going to benefit the musicians as royalties are going to be paid to the musician whose song is chosen,” said Mandimika.
He said, subscribers are able to use the tune for 30 days there after a dollar will be charged for another 30 days unless the user deregisters.
“Song categories that are available are: Top 20, Pop, Urban Grooves, R’n’B, Jazz, Afro Rock Fusion, Mbira, Christmas Carols and Reggae,” said Mandimika.
Samir Poprt, chief executive officer at Pop Technologies, the experts behind the innovation, said there are already more than 50 songs that were available on Teletunes.
“Pop Technologies is providing the local content for Teletunes. Songs by more than 50 local musicians are available on Telecel’s Teletunes,” said Poprtal.
Zimbabwe Musicians Rights Association Director Polisile Ncube has been quoted in the media saying piracy was to blame for destroying artistes careers.
She said if people continued with piracy it meant that they destroyed musicians careers, as musicians get nothing and at the end of the day.
Online Reporter