Last week I was wondering if music subscription will be the future of music industry and now it seems that more and more companies are embracing subscription based music distribution models. Universal Music for one is planning a business model that is based on Napster’s and Rhapsody’s subscription model, but with a little twist. The fee for using the service is added on the Internet service provider bill or alternatively, if you want to access the music catalog with your phone, on the mobile access provider bill. However, this is a very complicated process since there are many different parties included in the process. It may take a while before we see Universal’s plan coming together in practice.

On the meantime, Vodafone is also joining in the competition by launching a music subscription service, where the user has access to roughly million songs in a closed mobile environment and as a catch there will be a possiblity for social networking. Inside the network users can share songs without limitations. In my humble opinion this is a great idea, mixing up social networking with music subscription and mobile environment. Think about a mobile MySpace with unlimited music integrated in it. Vodafone has already got all four major labels and a lot of independent labels on board to participate.

Personally I believe that music subscription models will start growing steadily and in a few years time compete with pay-per-download model. The question is: when will digital music distribution market leader iTunes introduce their version of a music subscription model? With wi-fi enabled iPhone and iPod touch I can see Apple preparing for a new distribution model.