The need to establish legitimate platforms for the digital downloading of music is greater than ever before

Charles Grimsdale OD2

The catalogue of artists already includes Dido, Santana, Craig David and Phil Collins.

Temporary tracks can be streamed or downloaded, expiring after 30 days.

The new subscription services will launch on Freeserve in early summer and to customers of Wanadoo in France later this year, with basic subscription packages starting at 8 euros (�5) per month.

OD2 was co-founded in Bristol in 1999 by Gabriel and IT expert Charles Grimsdale, who remains chief executive.

It is said to be the market leader in Europe, with MusicNet and PressPlay the North American contenders.

Broadband expansion

The legitimate music download market is still wide open, with major labels battling the myriad of illegal sites that followed the decline of Napster.

Wanadoo is rolling out high-speed broadband internet to users in France, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, and in the UK through Freeserve.

Nicolas Dufourcq, chief executive of Wanadoo Group, said: "This announcement marks a very exciting first step for Wanadoo into the dynamic marketplace of digital music distribution.

Mr Grimsdale added: "If the music industry is to continue to flourish, then the need to establish legitimate platforms for the digital downloading of music is greater than ever before."