Zune Pass headed down under?

An Aussie Zune lover has been informed by a Microsoft service rep that the computing giant plans to launch the Zune Pass service to Australians in early 2011.

A CNET reader sent in a tip telling us that during a recent call with Microsoft support he was told the Zune Pass service will launch in Australia in late December or early January. Our reader was offered the information after inquiring into the best way to merge his current Zune account — created with a US Hotmail account — and his Australian Xbox Live subscription so that both could reside on a new Windows Phone device. The service rep warned him that merging the accounts would wipe his current Zune subscription and remove access to his music, and that he should wait until the Zune service launched locally.

A Microsoft spokesperson told CNET that they were unable to comment on a local launch, adding that the company is "constantly evaluating the possibilities of adding our other services to existing markets and over time ... will extend the Zune service to more screens and more countries".

Zune is the name given to Microsoft's media player and online music service. Customers in the US and Europe using Zune can choose to purchase a Zune Pass, giving them access to unlimited music streaming and 10 song downloads per month. Zune video downloads are already available in Australia, accessible via the Zune desktop client.