Music Streaming Hits an All-Time High: A Focus on Apple Music
Music has come a long way from the days of recording off the radio and purchasing CDs. Now, music is more accessible. Given the advances of technology, music lovers can now enjoy their favourite tunes alongside numerous perks on platforms known as streaming sites.
As defined by the Collins dictionary, streaming is “a method of transmitting data from the internet directly to a user’s computer or phone screen without the need to download it”. Nowadays, there are numerous streaming websites/applications, but one of the most popular across the globe is Apple Music.
Apple Music is an audio and video streaming platform created by the Apple Inc. Launched in June 2015, Apple Music is currently the world’s leading music streaming platform, boasting an impressive subscriber count of over 60 million. According to the organisation, at least 4 million Australians and New Zealanders utilize their service. This means approximately one in eight Australians pay the platform’s monthly subscription in order to access the service.
The Relationship between Telcos and Music Streaming Platforms
Australian telcos are partnering with music streaming platforms as a means of advertisement and a diversification strategy. Once, telcos focused on ‘physical’ forms of advertisement such as billboards and banners. Now, with the world shifting to a digital sphere, it is only natural that telcos shift their focus to where their services can have the greatest exposure.
By partnering with music streaming platforms, telcos can create a variety of stand-out products which can be marketed as perks to their consumers. Apple Music has partnerships with two of Australia’s largest telecommunication brands; Optus and Telstra. Let’s take a closer look at both telcos and what their Apple Music products have to offer.
The official logo for Apple’s streaming service, Apple Music. Source
Apple Music on the Optus Network
On the Optus Network, Apple Music perks are available to subscribers on 24 month Phone Plans and 12 Month BYO (Bring Your Own) SIM Plans.
Both new and existing subscribers on the Optus network can get 6 or 12 months of the service free of charge as a perk from the telco.
For new subscribers, Apple Music can be added on check out when subscribing to either of the eligible phone plans. For existing subscribers, in order to access these plans, they must first upgrade to either eligible subscription and add Apple Music on checkout.
Apple Music can be accessed on iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches. It is also compatible with Android devices.
Requirements of the Service
- Data Charges — Streaming on Apple Music will be counted towards your data allocation.
- Trial Period — Once the trial period is over, a monthly charge of $11.99 will be added to your monthly phone bill.
- Opt-In to Trial — Subscribers must opt-in to the trial within 30 days of activation of your Optus service, or any period that the network may offer you. Apple Music with Optus is an optional extra and does not form part of any Optus plan.
- Fair Go Policy — Should you cancel your Optus service, your right to access the trial will end and you automatically forfeit any remaining trial time. If you opt out during the trial period, however, you will still have full access to the trial until the end of the trial period.
Apple Music on the Telstra Network
On the Telstra Network, data-free music streaming is offered to subscribers who choose to link their Apple IDs and subscriptions to the network.
Telstra subscribers with the following subscriptions can enjoy the service;
- Postpaid, prepaid and mobile broadband customers
- Business and enterprise customers
- Apple Music customers with Telstra, or with Apple directly
Apple Music on the Telstra network is compatible with;
- PC and Mac via iTunes
- iOS 8.4 or higher, watchOS and TVOS
- Android 4.3 or higher
- Controller build 6.2.2 or higher
Requirements of the Service
- Data Charges — Although data-free streaming applies to audio files, individuals who utilize non-Apple radio stations and non-music streaming activities such as downloading files will incur data charges. And other charges may apply in addition.
- FairPlay Policy — Telstra’s FairPlay Policy caps data when an individual has gone beyond a certain amount.
Which Phone Company between Optus and Telstra Has the Best Apple Music Plan?
It is safe to say that Telstra has a better Apple Music Plan than its counterpart Optus.
Not only does Telstra offer its subscribers data-free streaming, but its plans are much more inclusive than those of Optus. A wide array of Telstra subscribers — on both personal and business accounts — can reap the benefits of telco’s partnership with the streaming platform. While any new customers should take the whole plan into consideration, those who rely on their Apple Music subscription could see the balance tip in favour of Telstra.
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