Vodafone seems determined to offer its users who are fond of listening to their favorite songs a wide range of DRM-free MP3 music files. The mobile phone carrier announced that it had signed deals with a number of the largest music labels in the world and that it would be offering an entire catalog of Digital Rights Management-free song titles.

“By Vodafone pioneering DRM free on mobile and offering MP3s on PC, they will now have the freedom to download tracks from their favorite artists without any device restrictions allowing them to experience their music however they want it, wherever they are,” said Pieter Knook, Vodafone Internet Services director.

Vodafone's announcement comes shortly after Apple also announced a similar move. Yet, this is the first time a mobile phone carrier offers DRM-free music to a wide range of mobile phones and PCs. The labels Vodafone has partnered with are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music.

Those who have already purchased DRM music from Vodafone should have nothing to worry about, as the mobile phone operator will allow users to upgrade their music to MP3 at any moment they would like to do so, while not charging anything for the move. We should also note the fact that the carrier currently offers a music catalog that includes more than a million tracks from all of the major artists and music labels.

Vodafone also announced that the DRM-free services would be available in Germany, Italy, UK, Spain and New Zealand before the summer of this year. Shortly after, the services will go to Australia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, South Africa and Turkey. At the same time, the services will also be provided in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia and Switzerland via Vodafone’s partner networks.