Verizon Wireless has begun selling MP3 music from its online media store, a strategy that will see it go head-to-head with Apple’s market-leading iTunes in the mobile space. In an announcement made at CTIA Wireless late last week, Verizon Wireless – the largest mobile operator in the US – said it had added 5 million MP3s to its store, which had previously concentrated only on ringtones and ringback tones. It claims to be the first operator in the US to offer such a service. Consumers can download music to their computers or any MP3-capable device, including sideloading to Verizon Wireless music-capable handsets. The tracks are offered without digital rights management (DRM) restrictions.

Beginning tomorrow, Verizon will also introduce a tiered pricing structure for MP3s purchased online, mimicking another strategy pioneered by iTunes. Tracks will be sold in three tiers: US$1.29 for new releases and best-selling releases; US$0.99 for most major contemporary releases; and US$0.69 for most classic catalogue releases. As well as iTunes (which ships with the iPhone – offered in the US by rival AT&T), the service could also compete with application stores from the likes of Nokia, Research In Motion, Microsoft and Google’s Android.