Music download service expands

British music download service Wippit has launched a pay-per-download option and added thousands of tracks to its service.

Customers can access tracks from a catalogue of 150,000, for between 29p and 79p each. At the same time Wippit has increased the price of its annual subscription, which offers unlimited downloads, from £30 to £49.99.

Launched in 2001, Wippit has until now played second fiddle to rival OD2, which has boasted a larger catalogue. But Wippit has added major labels EMI Music and BMG to its roster, plus 200 independent labels, more than doubling its catalogue.

Wippit is targeting younger customers by offering payment by mobile phone as well as credit cards.

"Winning over those people that were unable to purchase music downloads legally because they do not have, or are not old enough to hold credit cards is of utmost importance to us," said Wippit boss Paul Myers.

Unlike OD2 services, which include MyCokeMusic and Freeserve Music Club, Wippit supports Mac users.