YouTube's new subscription service to provide ad-free music, downloads for offline use

YouTube is reportedly starting a new subscription service that will allow users to stream ad-free music and download complete albums for offline use.

Available at a monthly fee of £9.99, the service, Music Key, will also allow users to download suggested playlists and personal mixes for offline playback and will include a membership to Google Play All Access, reported the BBC.

The subscription service is set to pose a tough competition to Spotify, Rdio, Beats Music and other audio-only "unlimited" music services.

The launch had earlier been delayed by a dispute with independent labels.

However, Google has said that it had now signed deals with hundreds of indies across the world.