At CTIA WIRELESS 2009, Verizon Wireless announced it is adding more than 5 million MP3s to its
online media store.
Verizon claims that they are the first telecommunications company in the United
States to bring MP3s to customers in its online media store. The music can be played on their computers or any MP3-capable devices, including
sideloading to Verizon Wireless music-capable handsets.
Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon
Wireless, said, "Being the first wireless company to add MP3s to our
online media store gives our customers a one-stop shopping experience
for all kinds of music - ringtones and ringback tones and now MP3s. We
have long led in mobile music, and together with the new pricing
options we will continue to set the standard for the industry."
Verizon Wireless has tiered
pricing for MP3s purchased online which is
- $1.29 for new releases and best-selling releases;
- 99 cents for most major contemporary releases;
- 69 cents for most classic catalog releases.
. Prices for ringtones and ringback
tones remain unchanged.