Omnifone plans broadband music service

Music provider Omnifone has announced plans to extend its unlimited music download service to broadband customers.

The new service, MusicStation Next Generation, will let consumers in the UK stream songs and music videos to their computers and set-top boxes over the broadband network.

Ominfone is understood to be teaming up with ISPs, but other than Sky it did not reveal who it was in talks with.

The new service will mean that subscribers will stream music legally and Ominfone is keen to play up the legal aspect, especially as music file-sharing is so rife on the internet.

"Tens of millions of European consumers are engaged in music piracy every day," said Rob Lewis of Omnifone.

"Whilst government pressure is growing, we also need to deliver alternatives that recognise the needs and desires of the YouTube generation," Lewis continued.

Omnifone has agreements with the big four music labels - Sony, Warner, EMI and Universal - and already provides an unlimited music streaming service to Vodafone and Telenor mobile customers.

MusicStation Next Generation was unveiled on Monday at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.

www.omnifone.com