Downloads race heats up as Sony unveils Connect launch.(Downloads)

Sony Europe is putting the emphasis on local content as it looks to heat Napster and iTunes to the European market with its own music downloads service.

The electronics giant will roll out its Connect service simultaneously in the UK, France and Germany this June, with the promise of a catalogue of more than 300,000 songs. In parallel with a sister operation which is launching in the US, it will allow tracks to be downloaded to a range of Sony portable hardware products, including the company's new Hi-MD MiniDisc Walkman.

Sony Networks Europe senior vice president Robert Ashcroft says the three initial European services will be specifically tailored to each territory's needs, with separate sites, local repertoire and individual music news. The company also has in place individual teams for each country, overseen by Sony Europe's online music services director Gregor Erkel.

Given both iTunes and Napster's European roll-outs are expected to be later this summer, Ashcroft believes there is a "high chance" of Connect being the first to launch. But he adds, "It is more about getting the service right and having the right content rather than a race to be first. This is something we've been working on for a long time as Sony--Pressplay was an early pioneer.

"This is not a recently-thought-up initiative. It's just the time ...