Universal Music Group (UMG) is moving into Cambodia’s online music space after signing an exclusive deal with local mobile service provider Smart.

According to a statement issued yesterday, Smart subscribers will now be able to download and stream audio and video content from UMG at a cost of $0.03 per minute.

Smart has also secured digital content distribution and resale rights for all of the US music giant’s content in Cambodia on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

“As part of the agreement, Smart will offer sublicensing arrangements to all interested parties to use, broadcast or resell the content in Cambodia,” the statement reads.

Sandy Monteiro, president of UMG Southeast Asia, said while a similar agreement had been struck and successfully rolled out with six other telecommunications firms over the past six years, success in the Cambodian market is far from guaranteed.

“Will it succeed? It is up to Cambodians,” Monteiro said.

“At the end of the day we want to engage with Cambodians and to bring world-class service to Cambodians. But if Cambodians don’t want it, then we will have to think of something else.”

In addition to the partnership announcement, Smart also revealed plans to launch a new daily radio program with radio station NRG FM 89, which will only play UMG music tracks and only accept requests from Smart subscribers.