Confirmed: Spotify Will Announce Launch Details In Sydney Next Week

Spotify is set to finally announce details of its launch into the Australian market next week, theMusic.com.au can confirm.

Speculation surrounding the arrival of the free music streaming service started last year with the appointment of Kate Vale to oversee the Australian division. A number of reports regarding a launch date - including an email obtained by theMusic.com.au regarding a conversation between Spotify and a major label in February - have emerged this year, but exact details of the launch have not yet been forthcoming.

A source close to the launch has confirmed to theMusic.com.au that the launch will take place in Sydney next week.

The launch is expected to pit Spotify, which has a free ad-based option and a pay-for-premium option, against Rdio, which doesn't have a free option but has gained itself a foothold in the Australian market after launching earlier this year.

Earlier this year theMusic.com.au compared the two and found that Rdio was easier to navigate but Spotify had a bigger library of content and benefits from third-party apps or plug-ins.

Other streaming services which have already launch this year, or late 2011, like rara and JB Hi-Fi NOW, haven't been able to create the same market penetration that Rdio has generated.