Korean telecom firms take on Google, Apple in app store market

South Korea’s three largest mobile carriers SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus opened their joint mobile application market One Store on Wednesday in a bid to grow the local app market and join forces against Apple and Google, two dominant players in the global app market.

With its launch, subscribers of the three mobile network operators can use all mobile applications and digital content, which were previously available only on each individual app store run by them, without a glitch.

The three would also run a joint ratings and rankings system for the applications on One Store and offer cash back promotions.

Having opened a One Store online center for developers in April, the telecom firms have been making efforts to launch the app store for mobile subscribers, attracting mobile games including Everyone’s Marble and Heroes for Kakao.

“The three companies will keep offering benefits to customers with their capabilities in customer relations and marketing,” said Park Joon-dong, head of LG Uplus’ contents business unit.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)