The US operator will invite its customers to download as much music as they want for $15 per month. Previously, a user who bought and downloaded an individual song on a Verizon VCast handset got another copy of the song for the PC. Now, that copy will be an unprotected MP3. The phone copy will still be in DRM-protected.

The service will work across seven handsets with three more to be launched soon. It cements Verizon’s commitment to music; it already has a similar arrangement in place with Napster.

It’s been a busy time for the Rhapsody service, as RealNetwork simultaneously confirmed it is getting rid of copy protection on all tracks bought from its online music store. Customers can now buy music in the MP3 format, which will play on any digital music device, including the iPod.

The move further accelerates the march of DRM-free music, with services such as Napster, Amazon.com and Wal-Mart offering MP3s, and even Apple's iTunes making songs from some labels available without protection.