Wednesday, September 29, 2004, 12:00 pm

Apple readies European iTunes expansion, Switzerland store

By Katie Marsal

Apple says it will deliver its iTunes music service to more European countries next month.

Corroborating several reports in recent months, Reuters is reporting today that Apple Computer is planning the next wave of expansion for its popular iTunes online music store with a multi-country European launch set for October.

Eddie Cue, Apple's vice president of applications told reporters that the launch would likely include more than five new countries in the next wave of stores. "It will cover a good portion of Western Europe," he said, but offered no further details.

Recent AppleInsider reports indicate that Apple is on the cusp of launching it's iTunes Music Store in the Netherlands, Poland, and Denmark.

Tipsters now say that the company is also preparing the launch of its iTunes service in Switzerland, with a report in the Swiss Newspaper 20 Minuten providing corroborating details.

Currently, Apple offers its iTunes service in the UK, France, Germany and the United States. The stores have combined to sell over 125 million music tracks to date.