Sony Network Entertainment International LLC has linked up with major European online music provider Spotify Ltd. to launch a music-streaming service through its PlayStation network in 41 countries, the company said Monday. The list does not yet include Japan.

Sony Corp.'s network entertainment unit has concurrently terminated its Music Unlimited online distribution service in Japan, Europe, the United States and some other markets.

Sony said it has yet to decide if it will start streaming music for Japanese PS users. Sony's PlayStation Music is not currently available in Japan at the moment because Spotify has yet to establish a market presence in the country.

Competition is intensifying in the music-streaming market, where listeners get online access to extensive song libraries. While Apple Inc. and Google Inc. have been providing their own services, Sony has opted for a tie-up with Spotify.

PlayStation Music enables subscribers to listen to around 30 million songs held by Spotify for free but with commercials, via PS3 and PS4 video game consoles. Ad-free service and music downloading are available for $9.99 per month.