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Telecommunications equipment industry

Nokia and SBS Finland Revolutionize Radio with Visual Radio Broadcasts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

SBS Finland's Kiss FM marked a groundbreaking milestone today by becoming the first radio station in the world to launch Visual Radio broadcasts, a concept developed by Nokia that enables listeners to engage with the radio in a more interactive and immersive way. This innovation allows listeners to provide feedback, participate in programs, and access additional content such as song and artist information, tour dates, and competitions. The integration of Visual Radio brings radio and its listeners closer together, marking a significant evolution in the medium.

Key Takeaways:

  • SBS Finland's Kiss FM is the first radio station in the world to offer Visual Radio broadcasts, developed by Nokia.
  • Visual Radio enhances the listener experience by providing interactive real-time services, such as competitions and audience polls.
  • The service is available to all Sonera customers with a Visual Radio-enabled Nokia mobile phone, with no registration or subscription required.
  • Radio stations can customize the visual content to suit their format, as seen with Radio City, which will debut Visual Radio broadcasts later this spring.
  • The introduction of Visual Radio has the potential to open new possibilities for radio, including strengthened communal interaction and real-time advertising opportunities.

Statistics:

  • 15,411,000 mobile customers subscribe to TeliaSonera as of December 2004.
  • 81.9 billion SEK (9.08 billion EUR) in net sales for January-December 2004 for TeliaSonera.
  • 29,082 employees work for TeliaSonera as of December 2004.
  • 120 employees work for SBS Finland Oy.
  • 14.5 million euros in turnover for SBS Finland Oy in 2004.
  • 4,000 employees work for HP as of January 31, 2005.
  • 81.8 billion USD in revenue for HP for the four fiscal quarters ended January 31, 2005.

Sources:

  • Leena Ryynanen, CEO of SBS Finland Oy
  • Tommi Mustonen, General Manager of Nokia's Visual Radio Business
  • Olli-Pekka Takanen, Department Director, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj
  • Maritta Viljanen, PR Manager, HP
  • Nokia Multimedia, Communications
  • TeliaSonera, Annual Report 2004
  • SBS Finland Oy, Annual Report 2004
  • HP, Press Release, January 31, 2005
  • Nokia, Press Release, March 15, 2005

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