As expected, Verizon Wireless said it is launching VCast Music, a comprehensive music service that delivers tunes to both Windows XP PCs and mobile phones via Verizon's new music store. More than 1 million songs will be available for purchase in the Verizon VCast Music store by this spring, Verizon said, putting it head-to-head with online music retailers. Customers purchasing songs from the VCast store and from the phone get two copies of every song, one for the phone and one for the PC. Interestingly, Verizon is charging 99 cents for purchases from the PC (which can be transferred to the handset via a USB cable) and $1.99 for purchases from the handset. Customers can also purchase entire albums for different prices. Because of the cost for downloading music to handsets, carriers have been looking to create a link in the mobile music value chain by convincing customers to pay more for music services, finding ways to compete directly with online digital music providers or actually partnering with successful online providers.
Read more about Verizon's VCast Music service:
- take a look at this press release from Verizon Wireless