T-Mobile Reportedly To Open Its Platform To Developers

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then T-Mobile USA is planning to be very sincere in encouraging software developers to create applications for its phones just like Apple has done with its App Store.

T-Mobile reportedly will open its application platform to software developers creating applications for its entire range of mobile phones, according to mocoNews.net, which reported it has talked with "multiple sources" about T-Mobile's plans.

The T-Mobile software applications would cover all of the company's existing and future platforms, ranging from Java and Windows Mobile to future Android phones and T-Mobile's Sidekick devices, according to the reports, and, like Apple's deal with its iPhone developers, T-Mobile would share revenue with the developers.

The wireless carrier does seem to be making moves toward expanding its platform. On its devPartner site, T-Mobile is advertising for software developers. "T-Mobile is seeking innovative mobile Web content to provide our customers with a richer, fuller mobile Internet experience," the site states. "If you are a skilled and creative mobile Web content developer, we would like to evaluate having you help deliver a more compelling mobile Web experience to our customers."

The U.S. affiliate of Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile has more than 30 million subscribers in the United States -- more than three times the global figure of 10 million subscribers that Apple expects to reach by the end of the year. T-Mobile USA's plans to open its platform get even more interesting because its German parent has an exclusive deal with Apple to market the iPhone in Germany and some additional European locations.

T-Mobile is still hampered by reliance on its relatively slow EDGE network. The company, however, has begun rolling out its AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) nationwide network, based on UMTS/HSDPA technology, and plans to cover more than 20 major U.S. cities that it currently serves with the slower network.

T-Mobile's other barrier has been consumer buzz. Fueling interest in opening mobile platforms for independent software developers has been Apple's success, with developers creating applications for its iPhone App Store. The Macintosh and iPod company on Monday confirmed that its iPhone users have downloaded more than 60 million programs for the smartphone.