Abstract: A system and music distribution method that provides real-time distribution of CD quality music to subscribers in stationary and mobile environments. A subscriber unit is operative to format or generate a request for a music selection and uplink the formatted request to an audio service provider. The audio service provider validates the subscriber unit, encrypts the requested music selection, and downloads the encrypted music selection to the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit demodulates, decrypts and buffers an audio data stream comprising the music selection into a continuous digital signal. The subscriber unit D/A decodes the data stream to convert the decrypted music selection into an analog music signal that may be reproduced by a stereo system.