Strategy Analytics: Orange UK Full Music Track Download Service is Top of the Pops

Strategy Analytics has issued a new report that finds "Orange has the Best in Class Full Music Track Download service in the UK, with a 15-plus point performance gap over O2 and Vodafone," based on "hands-on consumer testing by Strategy Analytics' Advanced Wireless User Panel." According to the report, Orange led in five out of six test categories, including: Speed of Portal Navigation, Speed of Download, Clarity of Catalog Interface, and Portal Layout/Usability.

Kevin Nolan at Strategy Analytics said, "All first generation Full Track Music Download services in the UK receive a failing grade on download speeds, price and DRM. Operators must address these key weaknesses in order to realize their visions of mobile music revenues."

Phil Taylor at Strategy Analytics added, "Consumers are acutely aware of the limitations of cellular music services in terms of download speed, impact on battery life and device memory, and lack of content portability, not to mention price differentials between cellular and online services such as iTunes. Until operators address these limitations, Strategy Analytics expects very low levels of Full Music Track Download usage via the cellular network."

So Orange is the winner, but it really doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement for full track mobile downloads, does it? It sort of like being voted the smartest person in the remedial education class....