Vodafone Launches Mobile Application Store with 70% Revenue Share for Developers

Vodafone has announced its entry into the mobile application market by launching its own mobile application store. The initiative is part of a broader move by mobile providers to create their own intellectual property, rather than relying on larger third-party or device manufacturers. By launching its own application store, Vodafone aims to provide developers with a platform to reach its 289 million customers across various devices, allowing them to charge directly for their applications through Vodafone's billing system.

Key Takeaways:

• Vodafone will offer developers 70% of retail revenues from their applications.
• The application store will be launched by the end of 2009, with a software developer kit expected to be released this summer.
• The store will be designed to allow applications to be usable across all phones on Vodafone's network, regardless of operating system.
• Vodafone has 289 million customers worldwide.
• The company has partnered with other mobile operators, including China Mobile, Softbank, and Verizon, through the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) to develop its own software for mobile devices.
• Vodafone will provide developers with access to network capabilities, such as location awareness, and customer-controlled access to other network features.
• The estimated combined audience for JIL partner networks is up to one billion customers.

Statistics:

• Vodafone has 289 million customers worldwide.
• The Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) partners (Vodafone, China Mobile, Softbank, and Verizon) have a combined estimated audience of up to one billion customers.
• 70% of retail revenues from applications sold on Vodafone's store will be given to developers.
• The application store is expected to be launched by the end of 2009.
• The software developer kit is expected to be released this summer.

Sources:

• Vodafone (no specific date provided)
• Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. (no specific date provided)