Spotify to offer free music streaming to smartphones and tablets in the UK?

Spotify is planning to expand its free music streaming service to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, reports MediaGuardian.

Currently only Premium subscribers who pay a monthly fee of £9.99 can stream music to their portable devices. Now apparently Spotify is entering negoiations with the major record labels to secure new licensing agreements to enable the move.

According to The Verge, Spotify has already begun discussions in the UK with Warner Music, and is shortly expected to enter talks with Sony and Universal as well.

Last year Spotify launched a free radio player app in the US for iPhone and iPad users offering streaming of unlimited songs and stations, but with advertising – in the same way that it runs ads on the free streaming service for computer users.

This latest move is seen as an attempt to stave off competition from rivals such as Napster, Rdio and Deezer.

Follow whathifi.com on Twitter

Join us on Facebook

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.

Latest in Music Streaming
Qobuz
Qobuz reveals average payout per stream – and claims it is higher than rivals
George Benson Give Me the Night album cover
This Quincy Jones-produced disco tune has become my go-to test track – and taught me a valuable lesson about hi-fi, too
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
Vinyl records and music streaming both hit landmark highs – but the one growing faster in revenue may surprise you
Apple Music Classical
Apple Music Classical lands on the web – but there's bad news for Mac users
Nirvana In Utero album cover
11 of the best closing tracks for testing your headphones or hi-fi system
Spotify updates its homescreen
An agonising timeline of our eight-year wait for lossless Spotify HiFi streaming
Latest in News
Audiolab 6000A MkII amplifier in silver
Audiolab upgrades its five-star 6000A amplifier with a new DAC chip, enhanced circuitry and HDMI ARC
Qobuz
Qobuz reveals average payout per stream – and claims it is higher than rivals
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Quick! This five-star Sonos Dolby Atmos soundbar has dropped close to its lowest price
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
Vinyl records and music streaming both hit landmark highs – but the one growing faster in revenue may surprise you
Vertere DG X turntable in black finish
Vertere's gorgeous DG X turntable features significant updates for a more refined performance overall