O2 and Virgin Radio offer visual radio shows

O2 has teamed up with Virgin Radio to offer Visual Radio across London.

Visual Radio is a partnership between O2, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Nokia, and is a new visual way of listening to a radio station via a mobile handset.

O2 customers can listen to any FM station, but when tuning in to Virgin Radio with a Nokia Visual Radio-enabled handset, they can choose to receive interactive information and graphics that are synchronized with the broadcast.

The service has been developed by Nokia, is powered by HP and the content – containing information and images of the artist playing, DJ and programme information – is delivered via O2’s mobile network onto the screen of the mobile handset.

It also gives listeners the opportunity to interact with their favourite shows by participating in quizzes and entering competitions. Users can also use other services via the O2 network, including downloading ringtones, wallpapers and song downloads.

The service is also available on GWR FM in Bristol. As the service grows, new features will be added over time where listeners can read gossip, artist information, dedicate songs and access news, traffic and weather information.

O2 is the first network in the UK to integrate the Visual Radio service and it is available exclusively from O2 for a number of months ahead. Listeners will require a Nokia handset to use the service, as it is currently the only mobile manufacturer offering handsets with built-in Visual Radio support.

James Parton, head of music and moving pictures at O2, said: “Music is integral to our customers' lives. Visual Radio enhances the radio listening experience by bringing colour, entertainment, information and interactivity to radio broadcasts."

Customers can listen to the FM radio on their phone free of charge. When turning the Visual Radio service on, the cost of using the service depends on the amount of data used. A typical 20 minute session would cost around 40p for the GPRS usage. If a user downloads additional content such as ringtones, then the associated cost will apply.