Nokia said today that Sony BMG has agreed to join Nokia's music service program, giving Nokia device users access to music published by Sony BMG. Last December, Nokia unveiled a similar deal for its "Comes With Music" phones with the top record label Universal.

Consumers with a Nokia Comes With Music device will have a year of access to the Sony BMG music catalog. Nokia will offer free 12-month service to the Nokia Music Store, allowing users to download tracks to both their mobile device and computer.

Music fans who participate in Comes With Music will be able to keep their downloads on their device and/or computer for the rest of their lives. At the end of the one year period, users can keep their downloaded tracks and transfer their material by substituting their new device or computer for the original devices. Consumers will be able to continue to purchase additional tracks or move on to a Nokia "unlimited access" subscription service.

"As one of the leading major music companies in the world, our collaboration with Sony BMG means we can offer a huge range of fantastic music from both international and local artists via Comes With Music," said Tero Ojanpera, executive vice president and head of the Nokia Entertainment and Communities business. "It's great to have them on board as we move forward with bringing our unlimited music bundle to the market."

Comes With Music is expected to launch in the second half of 2008 on a range of Nokia devices in selected markets.