Web-based music on demand service Deezer has reportedly entered a partnership with Vodacom, about three months after MTN launched its own music streaming service in alliance with Simfy Africa.
A Bloomberg report, citing "a person familiar with the matter", says Vodacom will offer its customers access to the service in a year-long exclusivity deal.
"The deal gives closely held Deezer access to more than 32 million Vodacom customers in SA, a boon to the Paris-based company as it competes with streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora Media," states the report.
"Sweden's Spotify, which has been in talks with Vodacom, and Pandora of the US have yet to announce any significant presence in Africa."
Available in SA and launched in 2007, Deezer gives users access to over 35 million songs and over 30 000 radio stations, across devices. The service offers two membership options - subscription (Premium+ for R59.99 per month, Web and mobile) and free (a Web-only service, with adverts).
Deezer currently has about 16 million active users globally, with five million of these being subscription users. The service is available in more than 180 countries.
Launched in 2008, Spotify has over 40 million active users, of which 10 million are paying subscribers. It offers over 20 million songs and is available in 58 markets across Europe, UK, North and South America, New Zealand and Asia.
There is no indication as to when the service will be available in SA, although rumour has it this could materialise soon.
About two years ago, SA got its own music streaming service, Simfy Africa, through a partnership between European streaming provider Simfy and local Primedia-owned digital content company eXactmobile.
In June, MTN SA became the first local mobile operator to launch a streaming music service, following an exclusive partnership with Simfy Africa. This followed reports that the operator's main rival Vodacom was in talks with Spotify around a partnership that would "mark the music-streaming service's first foray into the African continent".
Vodacom declined to comment on the latest reports around a Deezer deal.
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