A new service which allows listeners to download songs as they listen to them on the radio is to be trialled in the UK.

UBC, a London-based radio programming production company, has announced that it will begin tests on the new technology on Chrysalis Group’s Heart station along with digital-radio enabled mobile phones later this year.

UBC predicts that the digital music download (DMD) service will generate a £93 million turnover within its first six years.

UBC also expects a £10 million profit within that period.

Users will be able to access songs via a pre-pay credit plan similar to what is commonly used for mobile phone calls.

Each song is expected to cost approximately £1.25 – 60 per cent more than the 79 pence for tracks bought from Apple iTunes.

The service will also be designed for people who impulsively buy from UBC to have their songs downloaded simultaneously to a web-based music library that is compatible with other MP3 players.

DMD trials will initially kick off in Birmingham at the end of July.

Simon Cole, chief executive of UBC Media, said: “This is a company that understands the digital radio business. We believe that the pace of change will accelerate and particularly that the opportunities provided by our successful trials of music purchase from digital radio stations have the potential to create transforming business models.”

The service will also be available for US satellite radio subscribers who can record a song they’ve heard for later playback, but with further steps required to purchase later.