Three UK customers download 1 million music tracks a month

Link: 3G Operator 3 Hits 1 Million Paid For Music Downloads A Month.

Mobile media company 3 announced its customers bought more than
one million music tracks and videos in the last month. The figures
clearly demonstrate the influence 3 is having on UK music sales with
seventeen percent of all digital downloads (audio tracks)* being purchased
on 3 in April.

I go hot and cold on 3, I really do. I’m still absolutely infuriated that they won’t let me get open internet access to use even Google or Gmail or even download the Opera browser. However, to be able to announce that they are second only to iTunes in terms of music downloads is phenomenal.

I’m not quite there though… not quite sold. You see, when I download my tracks from iTunes I have them on my PC first. I like this. I still think this is important. THEN I sync my ipod or mobile device. I am quite uncomfortable downloading to my mobile AND then, downloading later on to my PC. It’s not quite there, I don’t feel, in terms of total simplicity. I think the iTunes model is simpler at the moment. I can’t take my mobile into the gym. My Three mobile is a K608 which isn’t expandable so I’ve a limited amount of space with which to store (and download) music.

I always use my mother as a barometer: She does get iTunes now. She’s bought a few tracks. She doesn’t get 3. Or mobile music. Or any of that. So, kudos to Three. It’s brilliant work. I think they and the industry as a whole have more to do to button-everything up into a really, really simple service. We’re definitely getting there though.