SeeCom International, a Korean venture company's invention which provides a background sound (music) service during telephone call compatible with mobile as well as PSTN (fixed line) phones promises to bring the next-generation business for the mobile entertainment industry.

SeeCom's new technology 'Music Call' service provides two way digital contents streaming using both wireless mobile network and PSTN. In other words, both caller and the receiver can enjoy digital music contents together simultaneously.

Widely available current ringtones and MP3 serve and ring back tone services are a one-way streaming method. But the 'Music Call' service allows real time data for the voice network for both caller and the receiver.

Block diagram of two-way mobile digital contents streaming technology

The technology allows users to send music, comic messages, anniversary reminder, love messages and carryout karaoke singing or even create different voices just for the fun of it, as a new kind of mobile communication service.

The technology can also be utilized in tele-video conference, one on one or one on multi telephone call with A/V and for the games too, giving way to various business opportunities for entertainment mobile comm. market.

The mobile contents service is quite user-friendly and has high customer royalty can grow rapidly relatively in short time. And in recent report by IT research firm, Informa Telecoms & Media projected growth from $18.84 billion in year 2006 to $38.12 in year 2011 within the mobile entertainment market.

The forecast is based on the ongoing embark from cell phone manufactures adding fuel to mobile contents market, especially in mobile music service market thus far dominated primarily by the mobile telecom. And it’s almost certain that involvement by Apple or MS (non cell phone manufactures), can influence and bring changes into the current mobile music market.

It's obvious that all of these interests can be the direct result of strong growth in mobile music sector compared to other mobile contents market. For instance, mobile music market in its first 3 years showed phenomenal growth rate and has been showing constant level of sales. That's the win-win situation both in terms of collecting call usage revenues and increased sales in provided contents.

Jinho Lee - CEO of SeeCom said, "With the ongoing changes in the mobile entertainment market, each mobile telecom and cell phone manufactures alike are pushing toward new service ideas. Our 'Music Call' can be utilized on various applications and not just on the music, thus allowing opportunities for mobile telecom and cell phone manufactures and contents providers especially in the entertainment based service business. Presently, the service is provided through communication networks but eventually, will get expanded into music-phone or cell phone based service including video and multimedia streaming services."

Meantime, SeeCom retains patent rights to over 30 countries worldwide, will launch services not only in Korea but actively seek partnerships in outside the domestic market into overseas.

Currently, the Music Call service is provided through SK Telecom's nate.com and T-world.