Mobile applications market that was
once dominated by the handset companies, is now being invaded by a new class of
rivals. India's fourth and fifth largest pan-India service providers, Idea
Cellular and Aircel, plan to explore this market. Aircel is readying to launch
the first operator-side applications store in partnership with Infosys. Even
before Aircel would have tested waters in the market, it will face challenges
from its closest competitor, Idea Cellular that plans to join applications
business within two to three months.
Aircel's applications store would be the fourth to launch in
the country. Nokia launched its Ovi Store in May last year, and Blackberry
brought its app store to India in November, 2009. Before these, Apple's App
Store for iPhone users has already started. Bharti Airtel had also launched an
application for the Android store, with CanvasM.
Airtel plans to launch its applications store this year,
along with IT major IBM. Last year the telecom giant became the first Indian
telco to have an independent developers community, Airtel Open Developers
Community (AODC), to develop applications and services. Airtel provides the
software development kit to AODC members and also trains them to build
applications across the three screens-PC, mobile and TV. Airtel has also roped
in over hundred companies-including Infosys, Indiagames, Mobile2Win, Versa,
Symbiotic, Pyro, Hungama, and OnMobile, amongst others-to develop solutions on
its IBM built service development platform.
Indian operators see it as a time to move into applications
as they believe they can offer relevant apps for local subscribers. Experts say
services on offer on Aircel and Idea stores may not match the ones available on
iPhone and Android shelves as most of the subscribers of the two operators are
still equipped with 2G GSM handsets and fall under the low ARPU segment.
The fight is definitely not going to be easy as Nokia is all
set to unveil a desi version of the Ovi store, where the apps will be customized
for the domestic market and customers will also be able to make payments in
Indian currency.
Indian market has the huge potential for growth of mobile
apps and is likely to see a new trend in this space, which is set to be an
operator driven one. With thirteen operators in the country, the market could
become very interesting if replicated by competitors. It may not come as a
surprise, if we hear similar news from other operators as well.
Heena Jhingan
heenaj@cybermedia.co.in
Page(s) 1
Print
Comment
Email
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
