Wholesale Applications Initiative Seeks to Unite Carriers

A group of twenty-four leading telecommunications operators have formed the Wholesale Applications Community with a goal of creating an ecosystem for the development and distribution of mobile and internet applications irrespective of device or technology. Together, these carriers backing the initiative serve over 3 billion mobile users.


The alliance's stated goal is to create a wholesale applications ecosystem that -- from day one -- will establish a simple route to market for developers to deliver the latest innovative applications and services to the widest possible base of customers around the world.


This would offer an alternative to the iTunes AppStore model and similar storefronts beyond the operator's control.


The Wholesale Applications alliance plans to initially use both the JIL and OMTP BONDI requirements, evolving these standards into a common standard within the next 12 months. The alliance also voiced a commitment to work with the W3C for a common standard based on a converged solution "to truly ensure developers can create applications that port across mobile device platforms, and in the future between fixed and mobile devices."


Carriers supporting this effort include América Móvil, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, KT, mobilkom austria group, MTN Group, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, Orascom Telecom, Softbank Mobile, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, SingTel, SK Telecom, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, VimpelCom, Vodafone and Wind.


LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony Ericsson also voiced support. In addition, the GSMA said this work is completely within its principles.
http://www.wholesaleappcommunity.com