LONDON-Wireless and online download services are fueling a dramatic surge in digital music offerings, according to a study released Wednesday by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
The group’s annual report indicates 180 legitimate download services were launched last year, bringing the total number of Internet- and wireless-based sites to more than 300. Online catalogs doubled last year to more than 1 million tracks, according to the study, and music service subscribers surpassed 2.2 million.
High-speed wireless networks and portable digital music players-including cell phones-are largely responsible for the surge, the industry association reported.
“Sales of digital music players continue to increase, spurring growth in online music,” the organization said in a prepared statement. “The launch of 3G (third-generation) services by major operators has given a boost to the download music mobile market.”
Interestingly, legitimate online activity apparently hasn’t resulted in a decrease in illegal file swapping. Two weeks ago, the group reported 3-percent growth in illegal downloads on file-sharing sites so far this year.
