Samsung to provide digital music service in Korea

Samsung Electronics is starting digital music business in earnest. Late this month, the tech giant will launch its own music service in Korea, which is similar to Apple’s “iTunes Music Store,” according to the digital music industry Tuesday.

Unlike the method adopted by iTunes that users pay a certain amount per song to download music, Samsung plans to provide streaming (online transmission) service enabling users to listen to music as much as they please for a monthly fee.

As a provider of similar digital music service in 15 countries overseas, Samsung has been delaying the business in Korea due to complicated regulations on copyright to original music. But the company recently found a solution to the problem, accelerating its bid to launch the business.

Samsung Electronics has been focusing on hardware manufacturing business including the Galaxy S” smartphone series, but now it is moving to provide contents service in earnest. Against this backdrop, the domestic digital contents market is expected to undergo major transition.

Samsung`s entry into the music service market is welcomed by singers and producers of original music, including album companies. Rather than in an environment where certain players such as Melon dominate the market, they can receive fair price amid fiercer competition. Melon accounted for 56 percent of the domestic digital music market in the first half of last year.