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)